Theme: Community and The Individual

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Beijing SMIC Private School
No.9 Liangshuihe 2nd St., Beijing Economic Technological Development Area
Building 1, 3rd floor auditorium
Beijing, Beijing, 100176
China

Chong He

Retired Professional Diving Athlete, Olympic Champion, Grand Slam Winner

He Chong is a retired Chinese professional diving athlete and Olympic champion. Renowned for his prowess in the 3-meter springboard, he won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. He is also a 6-time world champion and 3-time Asian Games gold medalist. He Chong played a key role in China's dominance in diving. His dedication and achievements continue to inspire future generations of athletes.

Doug McGee

Musician, Producer, Mix Engineer, Cultural Connector

Doug McGee is the lead singer and frontman of Eluvia 屹乐队, a band bridging cultures through music. Originally from Hawaii and based in Beijing since 2002, he draws deeply from his musical heritage, blending Western and Eastern influences in his songwriting and performances. A multi-instrumentalist, Doug has written hundreds of original songs. His band has played at major music festivals, China's Central Music Conservatory, and college campuses in cities nationwide. Beyond music, Doug is deeply engaged in creativity, philosophy, and technology, exploring how they intersect in artistic expression and human connection. Passionate about culture and collaboration, he sees music as a bridge between individuals and communities. In both performance and production, he explores co-creation as a living, evolving dialogue. Doug is passionate about the power of creative expression to transcend boundaries, forge new connections, and illuminate the deeper questions of existence.

Eluvia 屹乐队

Acoustic rock band

Eluvia is a Beijing-based acoustic rock band that blends the rhythmic energy of Western roots music with the unique textures of the yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), layered within a dynamic modern sound. With an international lineup, they craft thought-provoking original songs in both Chinese and English, delivering performances that are both powerful and deeply engaging. Their music flows effortlessly—jangly acoustic guitars, electrifying guitar hooks, rich vocal harmonies, and the intricate resonance of the yangqin—all driven by a tight groove and an undeniable energy. From soaring anthems to intimate ballads, Eluvia bridges cultures, connecting audiences through melody, rhythm, and raw emotion.

Fairy Ren

Beijing SMIC Junior '26, Varsity Volleyball Team Member, Student Council President

YiLin Ren is a dynamic high school student at SMIC High School, where she balances her roles as Student Council President, varsity volleyball player, and passionate scholar. With a love for math, finance, and linguistics, she finds joy in the logic of numbers, the thrill of the stock market, and the intricacies of language. As a natural leader, YiLin thrives on bringing people together, maximizing individual strengths, and turning plans into action. Off the court and out of the classroom, she channels her energy into volleyball, a sport she loves with all her heart. YiLin’s enthusiasm for leadership, teamwork, and learning drives her to make meaningful connections and inspire those around her.

Marco Su

Market Operations Officer, Entrepreneur, Student Leader, Beijing SMIC Alumnus '21

Marco is a senior at UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business, Western U.S. Market Operations Officer at EasyTransfer, founder of Snowball AI, and co-founder of the 2% College Entrepreneurs Alliance and Chinese Art & Design Students Association. His focus lies in the commercial application of AI technology, youth education, and student entrepreneurship. Marco founded Snowball AI, which integrates generative AI with youth education. It is supported by Amazon Web Services and Apple China and is recognized in Beijing's 2024 University Innovation Program. Another of his initiatives, the 2% College Entrepreneurs Alliance, empowers students to launch viable projects through weekly sessions, mentorship, and collaborations with industry-leading organizations like Wteam. CADSA, an affiliation of the 2% CEA, is an NGO aiming to provide Chinese international students with useful information and resources to support their journey overseas.

Richard Liu

Beijing SMIC Junior '26, Founder of the school History & Philosophy Club, Student Researcher

Richard Liu is a member of the SMIC High School who has taken a great interest in history, politics, and philosophy. Diving into his passions, he has founded a club and attended forums as well as classes discussing a wide range of topics such as ancient culture and ethics, continental philosophy, and 20th-century history. Considering himself a burgeoning scholar, he has written and published a paper discussing the intersections of metaphysics and philosophy of mind, which received 100+ downloads in PhilArchives. Currently, he is working on another paper exploring the intersections of French philosophers Claude Lefort and Jacques Derrida.

Rocky Yang

Beijing SMIC 8th Grader '29, school Debate Club President, Guitar Enthusiast

Rocky Yang is a student at Beijing SMIC Private School, the president of the debate club, and an active member of the student council. He was previously part of the Musical Theater Club (MTC) and is a guitar player in the school’s student-organized rock band. Rocky has participated in numerous NHSDLC debate competitions, making it to the octo-finals 3 times. He has a deep love for English, particularly literature and creative writing, and enjoys expressing himself through poetry and storytelling. On top of that, Rocky has a deep passion for guitar, dedicating much of his time to mastering the instrument and exploring different styles of music. He is also skilled at playing the drums, adding versatility to his musical talents. He enjoys traveling, drawing inspiration from different cultures for his creative pursuits. Rocky aspires to combine his love for language, leadership, and performance into a future career in international communications or entertainment.

Yingxuan Chen

Youth Empowerment Practitioner, Volunteer Community Founder, Social Entrepreneur

Kelly Chen is the founder of the Microcosmos Volunteer Community. With a decade of extensive volunteering experience, she has developed two online databases and shared over 2,500 resources and opportunities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on social media platforms since April 2019. In May 2022, she joined the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as a Programme Assistant. Before this role, she served as a Youth Community Engagement Assistant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where she conducted workshops to promote SDGs among hundreds of youths through the Movers Programme. Kelly is also a member of the Global Shapers Community and a fellow of the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform. As an experienced event organizer and passionate project manager, she has launched multiple youth initiatives and provided professional support to several non-governmental organizations and social enterprises in China.

Yuhan Zhang

Interpreter, Women's Empowerment Leader

Yuhan Zhang is an interpreter based in Beijing, specializing in conference and business interpretation. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Northeast Normal University and a master's degree in English interpreting from China Foreign Affairs University. With extensive experience in business negotiations, she has provided interpretation services for leading enterprises such as State Grid and China Logistics. Beyond her professional endeavors, Yuhan is a dedicated advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. Passionate about social progress, she actively engages in initiatives that support women's professional and personal development.