On November 25th, CUZ held the 1st "Panda Cup" Foreign Student Perception of China Essay Competition at its Qiantang Campus in Hangzhou. This Competition was organized by the China Foreign Language and Culture Bureau. Gao Anming, Deputy Director and Editor in Chief of the China Foreign Languages Bureau, Luo Lili, Member of the Zhejiang Provincial Publicity Department and Deputy Director of the Provincial Government Information Office, Zhao Jun, Editor in Chief of the Asia Pacific Communication Centre of the China Foreign Languages Bureau, Xu Rong, Editor in Chief of the Foreign Languages Publishing House, Jia Qiuya, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice President of the Foreign Languages Press, Yang Liping, Secretary of the Party Committee of CUZ, and Yao Zheng, CUZ Vice President, Representatives of CUZ International Office, as well as award-winning teachers and students from related CUZ schools and colleges attended this contest award ceremony.
Gao Anming made a speech and pointed out that foreign youth are firsthand witnesses of China's national conditions, firsthand experience of Chinese culture, narrators of Chinese stories, and participants in exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations.
Yang Liping stated that universities play a crucial role as the main battlefield for cultivating international students in China. CUZ accurately anchors the dual roles of international students as both "audiences" and "disseminators" of Chinese stories, creating a multi-dimensional experience and practical field for telling Chinese stories well, and taking multiple measures to empower international students to "listen in", "understand", and "tell" Chinese stories.
Luo Lili from Zhejiang Provincial Publicity Department stated that Zhejiang has always been an important window for the world to observe and understand China. He said the series of activities of the "Panda Cup" Perception China Essay Contest have a significant impact on strengthening cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, enhancing mutual understanding, and telling Chinese stories well.
Zhao Jun from Asia Pacific Communication Centre of the China Foreign Languages Bureau stated that the "Panda Cup" Foreign Youth Perception of China Essay Contest has received active participation from young people from multiple countries since its inception, as well as attention and support from foreign celebrities, friendly organizations, and embassies in China. In the future, we will continue to work together with all sectors to increase the participation and love of the "Panda Cup" Foreign Youth Perception of China Essay Contest, enhance cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, and enhance mutual understanding and trust.
After evaluation by the competition committee members, a total of 4 first prizes, 10 second prizes, 20 third prizes, 28 excellent mentor awards, and 10 excellent organization awards were awarded. On site leaders presented awards to award-winning units and individuals.
"Panda Cup" is an essay competition launched by the Asia Pacific Communication Centre of the China Foreign Languages and Culture Bureau, targeting foreign youth. Since its launch in 2014, it has covered countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, and has become a well-known brand for enhancing exchanges and deepening friendship between Chinese and foreign youth. In August of this year, the "Panda Cup" was launched for the first time to target a large group of international students studying in China, with the theme of "Foreign Students Perceiving China". The "Panda Cup" Foreign Youth Perception of China Essay Contest has further enriched its activity forms, expanded its dissemination scope, and enhanced its international influence.