On December 20, the events of the 7th "My China Story" International Short Video Competition 2025 were held in Beijing. Yu Yingfu, Vice President of China International Communications Group (CICG); Yu Changxue, Director of the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange of the Ministry of Education; Huang Yihua, Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Foreign Affairs Office (Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office) of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality; Xu Xinchao, Acting District Mayor of Haidian District, Beijing Municipality; Qi Huichao, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Haidian District Committee and Head of the Publicity Department; Ma Guangyao, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Haidian District Committee and Executive Deputy District Mayor; Malcolm Clarke, British director and Oscar laureate, among others, attended the events.  

▲Yu Yingfu delivers a speech 

In his speech, Yu Yingfu stated that the competition, upholding its original aspiration of connecting China with the world and facilitating global communication, has become a widely influential showcase for China's image. In the face of new circumstances in China’s international exchanges, the competition will continue to focus on Chinese stories as its theme and short videos as its medium, helping the international community understand a confident, progressive, open, and inclusive China. 

Yu Yingfu emphasized that the competition will further decode China's development path, ensuring that Chinese modernization — the greatest practice of contemporary China — is better understood by more people in the world. It will encourage creators from diverse cultural backgrounds to tell stories of mutual learning among civilizations. By seizing the trend of digital and intelligent communication, the competition aims to continuously enhance the visibility of outstanding works on major international platforms. Additionally, it will foster youth exchange, inspire minds and illuminate a better future. CICG will lift the brand of "My China Story" to a higher level, helping more good Chinese stories be seen and resonate with more people around the world. 

▲Yu Changxue delivers a speech 

In his speech, Yu Changxue stated that the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange of the Ministry of Education shoulders the important mission of promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and the rest of the world, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. In the future, the Center will continue to deepen its cooperation with the competition, expand its service platforms, and provide more comprehensive and efficient support and services for Chinese and international creators. It will encourage more Chinese and international students to tell Chinese stories, documenting China's development through their lens, and showcasing the unique charm of Chinese culture in their creative and excellent works. 

▲Xu Xinchao delivers a speech 

In his speech, Xu Xinchao stated that with its strong competitive advantage, Haidian has become a charming, vibrant, and innovative urban district in China today, an ideal place for everyone to tell Chinese stories to the rest of the world. In recent years, Haidian has continuously expanded its "circle of international friends," deepened global collaboration of innovation, and brought more investment facilitation measures. All of these are the source of telling new and good Chinese stories about development. And Haidian has become the prefered place where people can discover good Chinese stories. We sincerely invite all friends to Haidian. Come here to walk around and take a look to gain a deeper and more genuine understanding of Beijing and China. 

▲Malcolm Clarke shares keynote presentation 

Malcolm Clarke stated that in telling Chinese stories to the world, the key lies not in "what to tell" but in "how to tell it." People are not connected through systems and algorithms; the essence of international communication is to allow audience to see shared emotions and experiences in stories. Today, ways of communicating have shifted toward more lifestyle-oriented forms such as social media and short videos, and ordinary individuals now possess powerful communication potential. We should capture the authentic details full of human warmth in social development and present  more down-to-earth and genuine content. Only in this way can we achieve effective cross-cultural communication and enable the world to truly understand China. 

▲Evan Berman Kail shares keynote presentation 

American vlogger Evan Kail, who donated a photo album documenting Japanese war crimes during World War II in 2022, stated in his keynote presentation that in an era where misunderstandings spread faster than understanding and cultures are often constrained by stereotypes, we should promote cultural exchange, uphold historical honesty, and engage in dialogue based on respect rather than politics. Through education, media, and transnational cooperation, we can awaken people's awareness of humanity's interdependent relationships, enhance mutual understanding, and alleviate cultural misinterpretation. 

Wang Xinling, General Manager of Xufang International Media of CICG, introduced the basic information of this year's competition, shared representative cases of "the other's narrative" in cultural communication across various countries, and presented current communication trends on major international social media platforms. The competition received a total of 45,880 entries of various type, from 128 countries and regions with 26 languages. Finally, 85 outstanding works were selected out of all entries. 

▲Launch of the "Co-Plan of Global Vloggers' Content Creation on China" 

During the event, the "Co-Plan of Global Vloggers' Content Creation on China" was launched. This initiative is an extension of the "My China Story" brand, aiming to build a platform for international short video creators who are willing to deeply experience the warmth of China and explore the footprints of China's development, and to facilitate communication. 

▲Thematic seminars 

The event also featured supporting activities including a screening of selected works, two seminars on "Short Videos+City" and "Short Videos+Content Creators" respectively. Attendees engaged in practical sharing and in-depth exchanges on themes such as "Short Videos on Urban Culture: The Key to Breaking Boundaries and Going Global" and "Rising New Voice: The Change and Growth of Global Content Creators." Global content creators also visited the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center, the Light Science and Technology Museum, and other locations for research and firsthand experience, gaining deeper understanding of technological innovation practices. 

▲Event site 

This year's competition was hosted by CICG, co-organized by the People's Government of Haidian District, Beijing Municipality, and organized by Xufang International Media of CICG (New Media Center of CICG) and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Haidian District, Beijing Municipality. Supporting organizations included the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange of the Ministry of Education, the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, and the Academy for International Communication of Chinese Culture at Beijing Normal University. Attendees included representatives from the CPC Haidian District Committee and the district government, relevant provincial (autonomous region, municipal) government departments, experts and scholars from both China and abroad, content creators, enterprise representatives, media, and other guests. 

The competition continuously collects China-themed short video works in multiple languages and formats from global content creators. Through seven years of innovative development, it has evolved into a comprehensive new media international communication brand that integrates international short video creation, annual competitions, thematic contests, screening of videos, creative sharings, thematic field trips, and more. 

(Content and photos provided by: Xufang International Media of China International Communications Group)