The 9th debate competition made up of university students across the Taiwan Straits will be held in Fuzhou from July 23, 2010 to July 25, 2010. Eight university debate delegations from each side will participate. It is the first time for Fuzhou University to hold this debate competition. Most of the 16 universities are well-known, important universities. According to reports, it is the first time for some delegations to participate in this debate competition.

The debate competition this year consists of three main activities: debate, communication and entertainment.

The debate topics are collected from the Internet, society or experts. The debate topics have to do with pertinent contemporary issues while remaining fun, such as "whether love is ideal or practical", "whether Internet is good or bad for literature" and "which one is more important for first-class universities, good teachers or good students?"

"The debate competition of university students across the Taiwan Straits can provide a better chance to communicate and develop friendships", said Gao Wenzhong, chief of Science and Technology Interchange Centre in Fuzhou.

The debate competition of university students across the Taiwan Straits was first held in 2002. It has been successfully held eight times, including twice in Taiwan in 2005 and in 2009. It has gained wide popularity and become an important way for both sides communicate and better understand each other.

By Li Cheng & Wu Wei