​The Fifth “Pioneer Cup” English Debate Competition Successfully Held at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University

On October 17, the Fifth “Pioneer Cup” English Debate Competition, part of the Fourth Knowledge Science and Culture Festival series at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University (SMBU), was successfully held at the university library. As a flagship annual academic event of the School of Economics, the “Pioneer Cup” has been held for five consecutive years. The competition not only provides students with a platform to demonstrate their comprehensive English proficiency but also serves as a core venue for cultivating logical reasoning, promoting interdisciplinary knowledge integration, and fostering teamwork skills. Since its inception, the event has effectively stimulated enthusiastic participation from both students and faculty, earning widespread praise and positive feedback.

This year’s debate focused on the theme “The Development of Artificial Intelligence and International Trade Cooperation” and was open to all first-year students majoring in International Economics and Trade and Financial Technology, attracting 40 teams in total. The competition spanned one month, progressing through intense preliminary and semifinal rounds, ultimately producing two finalist teams.

During the final, the two sides debated the resolution: “Artificial intelligence creates unprecedented opportunities / insurmountable challenges for SMEs participating in international trade.” Affirmative team members argued that AI, through intelligent customer service, big data-driven product selection, and supply chain optimization, significantly lowers the entry barriers and operating costs for SMEs, enabling them to reach global markets at reduced costs—a historic opportunity for achieving accelerated growth. The opposing team, however, pointed out that the high costs of AI development, deployment, and maintenance may overwhelm resource-limited SMEs; additionally, data silos and algorithmic biases could place them at a competitive disadvantage, potentially creating a new digital divide. Throughout the debate, both teams delivered logically rigorous arguments, supported by detailed industry examples and fluent English expression, offering the judges and audience an engaging and high-level intellectual exchange while demonstrating in-depth thinking on a cutting-edge economic topic.

After a fierce competition, the judging panel awarded first, second, and third prizes to three teams, recognizing 12 outstanding students in total. The championship team, composed of Zeng Yongran, Huang Yachao, Wang Hangzhi, and Li Jiapei from the Class of 2025 International Trade 3, earned top honors for their exceptional performance. The awards were presented by Zhang Yang, Director of Student Affairs, Mao Yufeng, Director of International Academic Exchange and Cooperation, Professor Meng Fanchen, Chinese Director of the School of Economics, and Professor Irina Vladimirovna Nikitushkina, Russian Director of the School of Economics.

Five Years of Refinement, Building a Brand; Clash of Minds, Showcasing Talent The successful hosting of the “Pioneer Cup” English Debate Competition fully demonstrated the SMBU students’ outstanding critical thinking skills and international vision. The School of Economics views this event as a new starting point to continue its “pioneering” spirit, building a stronger platform for student development and cultivating outstanding talent capable of navigating a complex global landscape, paving the way for new possibilities in an increasingly interconnected world.