The 10th edition of the prestigious Cross-Strait Interpreting Competition concluded on May 10, 2025, at Xiamen University, marking a decade of excellence in bilingual education and cross-cultural exchange. Jointly hosted by Xiamen University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this year’s competition centered on the theme “Digital Society,” reflecting the growing intersection between language services and technology.
The Chinese Mainland division, launched in September 2024, attracted top talent from over 200 universities across seven regions, while the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan division featured participants from more than 20 institutions. The finals challenged competitors through three rigorous rounds that tested both traditional interpreting skills and adaptability to modern technological demands. A highlight was the innovative “human vs. AI” segment, where contestants interpreted live dialogues alongside artificial intelligence systems, demonstrating the unique value of human interpreters in an increasingly automated field.
Hung Chien-Hui from Taiwan Normal University emerged as the champion, showcasing exceptional real-time interpretation skills and professional composure. The following day, scholars and industry professionals gathered for a symposium titled “Integrating Language and Technology: The Future of the Language Service Industry in the AI Era,” discussing sustainable development in the field.
Since its inception in 2009, the competition has grown into one of the most influential academic events in the region, engaging participants from more than 2,000 university delegations. Notably, it has attracted over 80% of the Chinese Mainland’s “Double First-Class” universities and all translation-program institutions from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. The next finals are scheduled for 2027 at Xiamen University Malaysia, continuing the tradition of fostering cross-strait academic exchange and professional development in interpreting.
