International students express appreciation for China in award-winning videos

Video winners expressed their appreciation towards China and Chinese people at the award ceremony of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei ASEAN International Students "My Story with China" Chinese Short Video Contest at the International Academic Exchange Center, Tianjin Normal University.

Held on Jan 6, the event highlighted an eight-month-long contest that attracted video submissions from over 3,000 teachers and students from ASEAN countries residing and studying in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

The participants' videos were showcased online, garnering a cumulative view count of over 100,000.

Kob Sufarn, a Cambodian student at Tianjin Normal University, expressed his love for China in his award-winning video. He said he has become addicted to a Chinese TV series, Journey to the West, which "inspired me to come to China and further explore Chinese culture."

Candra Wulandani, who previously worked as a translator on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, said she believes "in having a fortunate connection with China".

Driven by her passion for China, she is studying at Hebei Normal University to become a cultural ambassador between China and Indonesia.

Bryan Au Bor Chuen, a Malaysian student from the Communication University of China in Beijing, was captivated by hutongs, traditional Beijing alleys, and the people living there. He utilized his short video to convey his ardent love for China.

The event also marked the inauguration of the ASEAN-China Educational Exchange and Cooperation Base and the Tianjin International Chinese Language Education Development Center at Tianjin Normal University.

Ma Jianfei, the director-general of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation at the Ministry of Education, emphasized the program's growing popularity and the warm reception it has received from an increasing number of young ASEAN students. He expressed support for more ASEAN youth to share their stories with China and enhance friendly exchanges.

Zhong Yinghua, chair of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching and former president of Tianjin Normal University, said: "The success of the event is set to promote closer interaction between China and ASEAN youth, which is of great help to tell a better story of China-ASEAN friendship, and to build a closer China-ASEAN community."