In the latest ASEAN-China Special Summit in November 2021, President Xi Jinping announced China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) – calling it “a new milestone” in the history of the relations, and that it will inject new impetus into peace, stability, prosperity and development of the region and the world. In light of that, FPCI together with the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN initiates “Youth Voice for ASEAN-China Cooperation” – a program in which 20 winners of a region-wide essay writing competition will be able to participate in an exclusive two days policy lab to produce a policy recommendation that will be handed to the Chinese government and the ASEAN Secretariat.
About the Essay Writing Competition
Topic essay: “Filling in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”
Your essay must cover at least one of the following points:
- What does China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership mean for you (politically, economically, culturally, etc)?
- Challenges and opportunities of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for ASEAN and/or China
- Recommendations to strengthen the implementation of China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Eligibility:
- Nationals of ASEAN member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam)
- Active students (undergraduate, graduate)
- 28 years old or below
Requirements:
- Essay must be original from the author
- Essay has never been published elsewhere including personal blog
- Consists of 1000 words at maximum
- Essay is written in English
- Every individual is only allowed to submit 1 essay
- Group submission is not eligible
- Essay must be submitted in PDF format and renamed into: Country_Full Name_YAC Essay
- Essay must be submitted before 16 August 2022, 23:59 Jakarta time
- Citation format: APA 7th edition
- Bibliography is required at the last page
- Essay must fulfill the following format:
- Times New Roman
- Font size: 12
- Margin: 2 cm
- Spacing 1.15
Submission Procedure:
- Go to to fill in the application form and submit your essay
- Applicants must also submit their student ID card
- No entry fee
Submission Deadline:
- Tuesday, 16 August 2022
- 23:59 Jakarta time
Terms and Conditions:
- The winners of this competition must be able to participate in a virtual two-days policy lab which will be conducted on 5-6 October 2022 (date to be confirmed)
Prizes
| 1st winner | $1300 USD |
| 2nd winner | $1000 USD |
| 3rd winner | $650 USD |
| 4th to 10th winners | $500 USD |
| 11th to 20th winners | $350 USD |
*Note: The exact amount will depend on the exchange rate
- Opportunity to join an exclusive 2 days Policy Lab, in which participants will be able to deepen their knowledge on the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and engage with policymakers, experts, and practitioners, to produce a joint policy recommendation– which will be handed to the governments and relevant bodies.
- Certificate from FPCI and the Mission of People’s Republic of China to ASEAN
- Recommendation letter from the Mission of People’s Republic of China to ASEAN for further educational opportunities in China, namely the ASEAN-China Young Leaders Scholarship.
- Selected winners will get an opportunity to have their essay published on The Jakarta Post
Timeline
| 16 July 2022 | Launch of the Writing Competition |
| 16 July – 16 August 2022 | Submission Open |
| 16 August 2022 – 23 August 2022 | Deadline Extended |
| 24 August – 24 September 2022 | Judging Process |
| 24 September 2022 | 20 Winners Announcement |
| 12 – 13 October 2022* | Policy Lab |
| 17 October 2022 | Prize Distribution |
*to be confirmed – as per 16 September 2022
About the Policy Lab:
Policy Lab is an exclusive two days gathering that will gather the brightest young minds from all over the region. After careful examination, selected 20 winners of the writing competition will gather virtually to engage in important and substantial regional talks. The program aims to enable the next bright generation of thinkers, strategists, and leaders from Southeast Asia to participate in high-level discussion to analyze the past, present, and future direction of the ASEAN-China relationship.
It serves as a platform for participants to deepen their knowledge on the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and engage with policymakers, experts, and practitioners, to produce a joint policy recommendation. Participants will also get the opportunity to expand their network with their fellow participants from ASEAN countries and China. The produced joint policy recommendation will be handed to the Chinese government and the ASEAN Secretariat.
The policy lab shall consist of the following activities:
- Expert Panel Discussions: participants will get to listen to high-level experts’ discussion from China and ASEAN countries and discuss about ASEAN-China relations and the CSP.
- Focus Group Discussions: participants will formulate a set of policy ideas and recommendations through active and interactive dialogues discussing a wide range of topics surrounding the CSP.
- ASEAN-China Youth Dialogue: participants will engage with Chinese youth- in a chaired substantial dialogue to exchange views on topics surrounding ASEAN-China relations and the CSP.
- Closing Ceremony: selected participants will present the joint policy recommendation to the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I am a bachelor and currently working/waiting to be enrolled in a graduate study. Am I eligible to apply for the writing competition?
Applicants must be active students– meaning they are currently enrolled in a university. Therefore, the case above is not eligible to apply.
I am currently on study leave, but am still enrolled as a student in a university. Am I eligible to apply for the writing competition?
Yes, you are eligible to apply.
I have finished my undergraduate/ graduate study but I am still waiting for the official graduation. Am I eligible to apply for the writing competition?
If you have not received your official bachelor’s degree yet, you are still considered as an active student and are eligible to apply.
If I will not be able to participate in the two-days policy lab following the writing competition, am I still allowed to join the writing competition?
No. You are required to confirm availability to join the post competition two-days policy lab prior to the application, even though the policy lab will only be participated by the winners.
I am an active student enrolled in a university, but I do not have my student ID card as I lost it/ it has not been made available yet. May I apply without submitting the required student ID card? May I apply by submitting alternative proofs (official letters from university, etc.)?
Active students who could not submit their students ID card for any reason are not eligible to apply for the writing competition. Document other than student ID card will not be accepted.
I have submitted my essay. However, I would like to make some changes. May I resubmit my essay?
No. Applicants can not apply for more than one essay. Two times submission will not be considered. Applicants must only submit one essay.
Contact Person:
Jenny Sari Winata – Email: yac@fpcindonesia.org
