Students give their performance during the first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei ASEAN International Students “My Story with China” Chinese Story Short Video General Display at the Tianjin Normal University on January 6, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Tianjin Normal University

The first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei ASEAN International Students "My Story with China" Chinese Story Short Video General Display commenced at Tianjin Normal University on Saturday with government officials and foreign diplomats underscoring the enduring history of engagement between China and ASEAN nations. They also emphasized that the stories of youth serve as a valuable cornerstone for a more promising tomorrow, nurturing cultural ties and advancing a stronger China-ASEAN community.

The eight-month-long event drew enthusiastic participation from more than 3,000 students and teachers from 62 organizations, resulting in 306 short video submissions. The annual event aims to strengthen personnel exchanges between Chinese and ASEAN youths, Zhong Yinghua, Chair of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, told the Global Times on Saturday.

Zhong noted that the event showcased vibrant stories of ASEAN students experiencing China's modernization firsthand, portraying diverse narratives through short videos.

Students give their performance during the first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei ASEAN International Students “My Story with China” Chinese Story Short Video General Display at the Tianjin Normal University on January 6, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Tianjin Normal University

During the event, the ASEAN-China Educational Exchange and Cooperation Base as well as Tianjin International Chinese Language Education Development Center were inaugurated. The year 2024 also marks the start of the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Ma Jianfei, director-general of the Center for Language Exchange and Cooperation at the Ministry of Education, stressed the importance of China-ASEAN relations and the significant role of youth in promoting cultural exchange. He encouraged collaboration to support more ASEAN youths in sharing their stories while learning Chinese.

Shi Zhongjun, secretary-general of the ASEAN-China Center, affirmed the vital role of ASEAN students as storytellers of the enduring friendship between China and ASEAN. The center, a government-to-government organization, pledged to continue advocating and facilitating mutual understanding and development among Chinese and ASEAN youths.

Ambassador of Indonesia to China Djauhari Oratmangun praised the video competition, noting its role in realizing the ASEAN-China vision. He said the unique impact of youth stories in building profound connections and enhancing mutual understanding, especially as part of today's information society.

During the event, students from ASEAN countries showcased their understanding of Chinese culture through dance, drama and choir performances. Outstanding students were awarded titles, encouraging continued contributions to building a closer China-ASEAN community.

Most of the rewarded students told the Global Times that they were learning Chinese under a strong curiosity of the profound Chinese history and culture, meanwhile, they pointed out that learning Chinese is becoming more popular in their countries as mastering the language was helpful in finding a good job.

Vietnamese student Phung Thi Diem Quyng, 22, told the Global Times that she was amazed by the high-tech transportation when recently in China.

"My hometown to the capital is almost the same distance with that between Tianjin and Beijing, and here with the high-speed train, it takes only 30 minutes, which is unbelievable," she said, adding that China and Vietnam share similar culture including the Lunar New Year, which made her feel at home.

A Malaysian student, Wulandani Candra, told the Global Times on Saturday that she used to work as a translator on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, where she first met her boyfriend, a Chinese employee also working on the project. Under this romance relationship and her passion for Chinese culture, she is now studying at Hebei Normal University.

She said she aspires to be a cultural ambassador between China and Indonesia, contributing her energy to the development and progress of both nations.