Theme: Pause and Progress: Reclaiming the Rhythm of Life

Pause and Progress: Reclaiming the Rhythm of Life explores how balance, rather than speed, is key to true success and fulfillment. In a world that often prioritizes efficiency, this event invites the audience to reconsider the value of slowing down, emphasizing that both fast action and slow reflection are essential for mental resilience, creativity, and deeper accomplishment. Through stories, research, and personal reflections, speakers will demonstrate that pausing isn’t a sign of inefficiency, but a necessary practice for sustainable well-being. In an era of constant productivity, this TEDx event challenges the notion that speed equals progress and encourages the audience to find a pace that allows for greater intentionality, stronger relationships, and a more meaningful path toward success.

Beijing International Bilingual Academy
No. 5 Yumin Road Houshayu, Shunyi Beijing
Beijing, Beijing, 101300
China

Andrew Sun

Social Impact Leader

Andrew Sun is a social impact leader from the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China. He is the chief co-founder of iNeon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering character development and promoting mental health in under-resourced schools across China. Since its founding, iNeon has reached 16 schools and impacted over 5,000 students, advancing values of personal growth and social responsibility. Andrew’s activism is grounded in rigorous research, with a particular focus on internal migration. Through original surveys, he explores how social networks affect the mental health of "left-behind" children—those separated from their migrant parents. He has conducted in-depth interviews with more than fifty internal migrants in Beijing, uncovering how socio-economic and institutional forces shape their lived experiences. His sentiment analysis of migrant narratives was also nominated for publication in the Pioneer Journal.

Ariana Lu

Student

Yilin Lu, also known as Ariana, is a 14-year-old eighth-grade student at BIBA. Her passions include drawing, performing, and playing the piano. This year, she founded her club focused on fashion design and stage performance, where she leads the team in developing designs and setting central themes. She emphasizes the importance of dedication, a value she upholds in all her stage performances.Ariana is also deeply interested in science and technology. She has observed that few women and girls pursue these fields and that their achievements are often overlooked. Through her efforts, she hopes to challenge stereotypes and inspire others to recognize that everyone, regardless of gender, deserves equal opportunities to follow their dreams.

Eric Xin

Private Equity Investor + Marathon Enthusiast

Mr. ERIC XIN is a seasoned private equity investor and a marathon enthusiast. He grew up in China, graduated from Peking University and had his MBA from Harvard Business School. While managing a multi-billion dollar investment fund, he made a change in life 13 years ago - started long distant running. Since then, he has run over 100 marathons and ultra-maranthons. He and his wife held two Guinness World Records - the fastest time for married couples to finish 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days（777）and North and South Pole Marathons. Eric's journey of change has inspired thousands to pause and rethink their priorities in life. "Real journey starts when road ends." Real progress begins when we pause and find the way ahead.

Jorean He

Student

Jorean He is a 17-year-old high school junior who considers himself balanced between introversion and extroversion. He is passionate about sports like volleyball, track, basketball, and soccer. Photography plays a major role in his life, and he also enjoys playing video games with friends. At school, Jorean holds leadership roles in various media and film-based clubs, contributing to community projects, including filming for the school's marketing department. He is also a member of the student council.Through TEDx, Jorean aims to shed light on the often-overlooked effects of social media on procrastination. Drawing from his own experiences, he hopes to reveal its underlying impacts, encourage reflection, and inspire others to rethink their relationship with technology.

Luke Gao

Student

Luke Gao is passionate about playing the GuQin, an ancient Chinese instrument that offers a unique sense of freedom and expression. He also enjoys stargazing and experimenting with astrophotography. At school, Luke co-leads the Triplet Club, a science club dedicated to exploring fascinating scientific topics through presentations and discussions. Luke joined TEDx to share his personal experiences with burnout, brought on by academic pressures, expectations from peers, and the overwhelming demands of daily life. He recalls a time when he found himself in an anxious state, having lost his own "rhythm." Through TEDx, Luke hopes to share his journey of rediscovering himself amidst the chaos, along with the strategies he developed to navigate through challenging times and the valuable insights he gained along the way.

Mervyn Hing

Teacher

Mr. Mervyn Hing teaches science and math at BIBA. He studied mathematics at university, followed by postgraduate studies in computer science and professional qualifications in communications engineering. He became a qualified teacher in the UK in 1993, teaching high school Maths and Physics before transitioning to work on communication systems for US corporate banks, aerospace manufacturers, and national air traffic services. Outside of work, Mervyn enjoys scuba diving, trail running, abseiling, and chess. He is inspired by two memorable lessons: Richard Feynman's reminder to "fill your heart with love," and a fencing master's belief that sports should inspire lifelong passion, not just competition.

Rachel Han

Student

Rachel Han is a 15-year-old ninth-grade student who enjoys writing, crafting, and traveling in her free time. She is currently working on a project to construct a memorial site for the ancient Chinese scholar Han Fei in Zhumadian, Henan Province. Rachel has a deep passion for history and has written numerous speeches on the subject. She believes that history is a continuous journey of turning, pausing, and resuming, with the past always by our side. This perspective resonates strongly with the theme of TEDx, inspiring her to share her thoughts with a wider audience. Through her speech, Rachel hopes to offer a fresh perspective, challenge stereotypes, and reveal the warmth and significance of history.

Sissi Huang

Student

Xiaoang Huang (Sissi) is a 16-year-old student in grade 11C who is passionate about the arts, beauty, and snow sports. She is currently working on a virtual project showcasing the arts and culture of the Bouyei ethnic group. Her TEDx topic is inspired by her personal journey in documentary-making focused on Bouyei culture, an influence that has deeply moved her since childhood. Through her speech, Xiaoang hopes to not only share the richness of Bouyei traditions but also inspire others to recognize the valuable lessons it holds.

Sophie Shi

Student

Sophie Shi is an 11th-grade student at BIBA. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, engaging in debates, visiting museums, and traveling. At BIBA, she serves her school community as the Student Council President and the Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper. Sophie chose to join TEDx because she believes that many people, especially young individuals, feel pressured to constantly move faster, achieve more, and seek clear, measurable success. However, she recognizes that life doesn’t always unfold in neat milestones. Her passion for TEDx stems from a desire to give voice to the beauty that exists outside of achievement, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning not as something to conquer, but as something to experience. She hopes to inspire others to move with the rhythm of life rather than against it.

Steven Zhang

Student

Steven Zhang Mingcheng is a 15-year-old ninth-grade student with a passion for business competitions, basketball, and cycling. He is a member of BIBA's Chess Club, the EBC Club, and actively participates in debate and academic competitions such as NHSDLC, Zonghengbei Debate Competition, MEC, Asdan All-Star, and WSC. Steven has always been fascinated by how people make decisions. Observing teachers, parents, and leaders, he is captivated by those who remain calm and make clear judgments under pressure. Through his TEDx experience, Steven hopes to share his perspective on decision-making from the viewpoint of his generation, offering unique insights to audiences of all ages.

Yolanda Li

Student

Yolanda Li is an 11th-grade student with a passion for singing, playing the piano, writing, exercising, playing chess, learning new languages, and exploring topics like fashion and finance. She is currently organizing a charity concert for the summer, writing a research paper on women in business, recording a song for release, and preparing for solo and band performances. Additionally, Yolanda is getting ready for writing competitions, attending a music composition camp, and expanding her knowledge through Coursera courses. Having experienced the challenges of unbalanced schedules firsthand, Yolanda has found her own path to stability. Through TEDx, she hopes to inspire others to create a life of balance by rethinking their daily routines and finding harmony in their pursuits.