UM Cantonese Debating Team won the Cantonese Debating Competition with Hang Seng University of Hong Kong Second Year in a Row

UM Cantonese Debating Team participated in the “Hang Seng University of Hong Kong-Macau University Cantonese Debating Competition” held on 24th March in Hong Kong. The purpose of this event was to engage in mutual learning and exchange with the debating team from Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, in order to promote the skills of both teams.

The debating topic for this competition was whether the Hong Kong government should legislate for the implementation of community treatment orders. The affirmative team from the University of Macau consisted of the first speaker, Wong Wai Chit from FBA & MLC; the second speaker, Wong Weng Fai from FED & CKYC; the third speaker, QIU YaoYuan from the FSS & SPC; the concluding speaker, Lo Chong Him, from FLL & MCMC; and the questioners, Chou Chi Lok from FHS & SPC, and Lei Kam In from FST & HFPJC.

The affirmative team primarily argued that there is a serious issue with the Hong Kong mentality, leading to frequent social incidents. They pointed out the inadequacy of current safeguards for mental patients and emphasized the need to implement community treatment orders to fill in the gaps. They also argued that legislation can raise awareness of mental health issues in society and achieve social consensus, leading to increased resource allocation. On the other hand, the negative team questioned the feasibility of implementing community treatment orders due to insufficient resources, emphasizing the potential violation of patients’ rights and the labeling of patients.

In the end, the University of Macau affirmative team won the debate with a score of 2:1, Lo Chong Him, a Year 1 student from FLL & MCMC, was awarded the Best Debater award during the competition.