Thirty-six contestants from five Southeast Asian countries took the stage for the 7th Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition Southeast Asian Region in Bangkok on Saturday. 

The event, which also served as the MicUp! Regional Finals Thailand 2025, was launched to foster a vibrant cross-cultural dialogue.

The one-day regional final at Chulalongkorn University addressed overcoming bias to build a connected world in the digital age. The event drew over 800 applicants from seven countries. 

Winners of the youth category are set to bring the voice of Southeast Asia to the Grand Final in China this October—a larger stage within the global community.

The photos were provided to China Daily.