On May 11, the launching ceremony of 2021 'My China Story' International Short Video Competition was held in Beijing. Almost 80 guests attended the ceremony, including Gao Anming, vice president and editor-in-chief of China International Publishing Group (CIPG); Huang Huilin, a professor of Beijing Normal University and president of the Academy for International Communication of Chinese Culture; Deng Hong, deputy director of the Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province; Lin Ruixi, member of the Standing Committee and Publicity Department of Zhongshan Municipal Party Committee; and Vikram Channa, vice president and head of content of Discovery Channel in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

"Today, cultural communication is convenient and cultural exchanges are active. People can experience different cultures anytime and anywhere. A group of short video ‘emissary’ have emerged to promote cultural exchanges and development between China and foreign countries. They record China from a third-party perspective, and drive more and more short video creators and enthusiasts to participate in it,” said Gao Anming at the launching ceremony.

Gao Anming, vice president and editor-in-chief of CIPG, gives a speech at the launching ceremony of 2021 "My China Story" International Short Video Competition on May 11, 2021. [Photo by Wan Quan, Wei Yao]

“This year's competition sets up the annual unit ‘Lingnan Culture, Greater Bay Area’, which collects stories related to Guangdong, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or other bay areas in the world. I believe this will play a positive role in the international communication of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and in telling the world stories about Guangdong and China in the new era,” Deng Hong said in his speech.

Deng Hong, deputy director of the Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, speaks at the launching ceremony of 2021 "My China Story" International Short Video Competition on May 11, 2021. [Photo by Wan Quan, Wei Yao]

Raz Galor, president of Y China, hopes that this competition can encourage more people from all over the world to come to China and to record in China, so as to let the world know more about real China.

Raz Galor, president of Y China, speaks at the launching ceremony of 2021 "My China Story" International Short Video Competition on May 11, 2021. [Photo by Wan Quan, Wei Yao]

Vikram Channa, speaking on behalf of the foreign experts of the review group, said: “The internet era is a borderless era. Today anyone can be a publisher or broadcaster. The field is wide open especially for China’s Belt and Road Initiative to go forth and share their China story. Short videos are such a powerful tool and means by which to train yourself and prepare to share longer and more complex narratives.”

Vikram Channa, vice president and head of content of Discovery Channel in East Asia and Southeast Asia, speaks at the launching ceremony of 2021 "My China Story" International Short Video Competition on May 11, 2021. [Photo by Wan Quan, Wei Yao]

Huang Huilin, speaking on behalf of the Chinese experts of the review group, said that not all international communication needs grand narration. Sometimes a small story can also be soul-stirring and has its roots in the people. That's why short videos can play an important role in international communication. 'My China Story' International Short Video Competition maximizes the power of the global Internet and shows the world how China is reaching out to other countries through the perspectives of the people who have been observing China.

Huang Huilin, a professor of Beijing Normal University and president of the Academy for International Communication of Chinese Culture, speaks at the launching ceremony of 2021 "My China Story" International Short Video Competition on May 11, 2021. [Photo by Wan Quan, Wei Yao]

2021 'My China Story' International Short Video Competition is sponsored by CIPG and co-sponsored by the Information Office of People’s Government of Guangdong Province. The competition is open to Chinese and foreign creators, and will collect short videos with China themes in various languages and forms. The collection will end on June 30, 2021.