Lifestyle
China Through Foreign Eyes
A short video contest draws different cultures closer
By Li Xiaoyang  ·  2019-06-18  ·   Source: Web Exclusive

Gao Anming (left), Vice President of China International Publishing Group gives awards to the top award winners Miriam and her husband Wang Yonghong on June 17 (LIU RONG)

At the first Foreigners on China International Short Video Competition Awards Ceremony held on June 17 in Beijing, the short video Predestined won the top award. "Many foreign visitors prefer large Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, but I like the countryside better," said Miriam, the winner. "Through the video, I hope to make the charm of rural life in China more widely known to people from other countries."

The first prize short video recounts how Miriam came to China and met her Chinese husband Wang Yonghong. The young woman from Sweden who speaks fluent Chinese is currently living in the countryside in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Hosted by China International Publishing Group (CIPG), the competition was initiated in September 2018. More than 300,000 short videos from over 50 countries and regions were submitted, covering over 10 languages. During the event, the top 25 short video works were shown to the audience and the launch of the second competition was announced.

From Chinese food to the Beijing Opera to the emerging delivery industry and online payment system, the shortlisted video clips reflected how traditional Chinese culture blends with the country's modern development from the perspective of foreigners in China. Many of them have lived in China for several years and witnessed its changes as volunteers or international students, which have drawn them closer to the Chinese culture.

"We feel as if half of our hearts will be left in China when we leave here," Haha and Beyza, two international students said in their short video.

Foreigners on China, a short video program developed by CIPG has released over 300 short videos in eight languages in various countries, presenting China from international perspectives and recording how it has integrated into the world.

According to Gao Anming, Vice President of CIPG, short videos as a key media for introducing China to the world more objectively will be given more play.

"The pursuit of beauty and goodness is shared by people around the world. Through cross-cultural communication, mutual understanding and respect can be developed despite cultural differences," said Chen Changfeng, a professor at Tsinghua University.

Copyedited by Rebeca Toledo

Comments to lixiaoyang@bjreview.com

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