Photo: Global Times online

The award ceremony for the Fifth Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) Short Video Competition took place in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Thursday. It aimed to share touching and engaging stories about the achievements and integration of civilizations brought by the BRI's construction in various countries and regions worldwide.

The competition was jointly organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association, the News Center of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), and Huanqiu.com.

Themed "Open up a New Chapter Together through Connectivity," this year's competition centered on the global practices of China's modernization drive. It also emphasized the universal understanding of the BRI's spirit and China's aspiration to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI's launch. By collecting short video stories from both builders and beneficiaries, the competition allowed audiences to grasp the true essence of economic development, social progress, cultural integration, and people's dreams in countries along the route. It also recreated touching moments of genuine exchanges and resonance among people.

Initiated in mid-June and concluding at the end of August, the competition garnered over 1,000 entries from nearly 100 countries. After the organizing committee's preliminary review, public voting, and expert evaluation, 99 final award winners were announced. The prize-winning works spanned 10 categories, such as the Integration of Civilizations Award, The Most Beautiful BRI Co-builders Award, Voice of the Generation Z Award, two separate Popularity Awards (one for China and one for Overseas), The Best Technology Award, Communicator Award, two instances of the Excellent Work Award, Overseas Regional Competition Award, and Outstanding Organizer and Distinguished Contribution Award.

Hua Chunying, an Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, shared a video message, emphasizing the BRI's developmental opportunities for the world. "More and more countries, international organizations, and enterprises have shown confidence in and support for the initiative's joint construction. They've reaped numerous tangible benefits through our cooperation," Hua remarked.

She added that narrating the story of building the BRI and fostering a community with a shared future has become a mutual aspiration for China and countries along the route.

"The competition has garnered widespread attention since its June launch," said Huo Ying, Secretary General of the China Public Diplomacy Association, at the conference. Chinese enterprises and their BRI country employees actively participated, using their unique perspectives to capture poignant moments during the BRI's construction, Huo elaborated.

Additionally, this year marks the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the China-Mexico Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation. As a prominent Latin American country, Mexico has significantly influenced the joint BRI construction between China and Latin America. "In advancing this initiative, China and Mexico have adhered to principles of broad consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, exemplifying the BRI's vision and idea," Zhang Run, the Chinese Ambassador to Mexico, mentioned via video link.

Zhang added, "I'm delighted to see the competition amassed numerous powerful, emotional, and heartwarming works. They narrate stories of China and Mexico's cooperation from various perspectives, benefiting both nations."

Shan Chengbiao, General Manager of Huanqiu.com, said at the ceremony, "Many touching entries showcased the valuable friendships among BRI nations, conveying their hopes for tighter bonds, shared prosperity, mutual learning among different civilizations, and fostering cultural diversity."

"As one of the leading corporations engaged in the BRI since 2012, Dong Fang Electric Corp has been committed to sustainable, high-standard development and prioritizing people's well-being," noted Song Zhiyuan, a director of the company. "We've offered green energy equipment and services to over 100 countries and regions. Moving forward, we'll grasp the opportunities presented by China's modernization drive, remaining at the forefront of BRI's joint construction. We aim to provide more top-notch green energy equipment globally, share more compelling tales of Chinese enterprises venturing overseas, and project a responsible image of China," Song concluded.