Two competitors recite poems related to the moon, in turns. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

The finals of the second Qidong Chinese Poetry Conference was held on Aug 18 with great success, organizers said. 

The finalists were chosen after a nine-day online audition, followed by five tournaments which started on Jul 15. Organizers said that  five out of 414 competitors were picked to take part in the finals. 

The most exciting moment of the finals was when the two top participants contended for first place. 

Organizers said this stage of the tournament is called feihualing -- where participants in turn recite poems related to key words chosen by the host. Who starts first is decided by drawing straws. 

In the grand final, the two competitors recited poems related to the moon, lotus flowers and beauty. 

Their fluency clearly impressed the audience, organizers said. 

In the event Guan Lingfeng, a junior at Nanjing Audit University, took first place. 

"I am really happy to be the winner. Reading poetry has long become my passion. In the process, I can feel what the ancient people felt," he said.

He also expressed his hope that Chinese poetry gains more attention and is passed onto the next generation.

Guan Lingfeng wins the second Qidong Chinese Poetry Conference. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]