A difficult but necessary announcement: Cancellation of the 2025 Chinese Writing Contest

It is with deep regret that I am announcing the cancellation of MSL Master Chinese Writing Contest 2025. 

The reason is simple. We have received a total of 13 submissions, but 5 of them used Chinese characters that are outside of the designated 320 characters, and therefore were disqualified automatically.

The result is that the number of remaining writings is too small to form a solid base for further selection.

After much deliberation, I’ve concluded that, it is the best not to proceed with the event as planned.

This was not an easy decision, as I know it will disappoint many of you. But it is necessary. And it does not diminish my gratitudes as this event organiser. 

First and foremost, I want to thank all writers who submitted their stories. Your courage in sharing your work, especially for those who overcame shyness, is truly inspiring. Each submission represents a unique voice, a spark of imagination, and a commitment to the craft of storytelling. I hope you’ll continue to nurture your creativity and your Chinese writing skills.

I also wish to express my appreciation to my valuable sponsors for 2025, Skritter, Babel Magazine, and Calmly Writer, whose generosity made this contest possible. Your support provided substance to celebrate new writings and foster creativity, and I am immensely grateful for your partnership!

The decision to cancel was a tough one, as I envisioned this contest serving as a vibrant celebration of Chinese learning, reading and writing, a space where Chinese language writers of all ages and nationalities could come together to share their unique perspectives. However, with such a small number of submissions, I feel it would not do justice to the spirit of the contest or the efforts of those involved to proceed. I’ve wrestled with this choice, but I believe it’s the right one to ensure the integrity and impact of the event.

Despite this setback, I encourage every one—whether you have submitted or given up on your drafts—to keep writing, keep learning, and keep reading. Reading matters. Learning matters. Writing matters. Your stories matter. 

In an age where AI shapes so much of our world, human creativity remains an irreplaceable force. It’s the spark of imagination, the nuance of emotion, the choice of each Chinese character, and the depth of personal experience that make your words uniquely powerful. Writing is not just a craft; it’s a way to connect, reflect, and inspire. 

For those looking to stay inspired, I invite you to explore collections from our previous Chinese Writing Contests, Easy-to-Read Chinese Short Stories series, available here at https://mslmaster.com/index.php/chinese-textbooks/easy-to-read-series. 

These books showcase the remarkable talent and creativity of past participants, offering a treasure trove of stories to spark your own ideas. Each book offers a free audio version of the book.

I hope these best entries from the previous four years serve as a reminder of the community of Chinese language learners and writers we’re proud to support and a source of encouragement as you continue your learning journey.

While this year’s contest cannot proceed, I hope it will return next year. I hope it can continue to serve as a small platform to showcase Chinese language learners’ talent and celebrate their art of storytelling in Chinese. 

Until then, keep writing, keep learning, and keep reading!