In brief
The award ceremony, held on November 5 in Auckland, New Zealand, celebrated 45 student videos from 130 participants representing 24 schools. Chinese Consul General Chen Shijie emphasized the competition's role in promoting Chinese language learning and cultural understanding, while University of Auckland academics praised participants’ creativity. The event, part of a three‑year run, included cultural performances and speeches delivered in Chinese.
The 2026 "Modern China Through My Eyes" short video competition awarded its winners in Auckland, New Zealand, on Wednesday, November 5. The ceremony brought together 130 students from 24 schools and universities that participated across the Auckland consular district and presented 45 videos that showcased modern China from young New Zealanders’ perspectives.
During his address, Chinese Consul General in Auckland Chen Shijie highlighted the competition as a platform that allows New Zealand students to display their Chinese learning achievements and share narratives about China through their own lenses. He urged more young New Zealanders to study Mandarin and to become ambassadors of China‑New Zealand friendship.
Professor Lawrence Zhang of the University of Auckland commended the entrants for their linguistic skills, creativity, and enthusiasm for exploration. He noted that such activities help strengthen cultural understanding and foster connections between the two countries.
New Zealand director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Auckland, Xuelin Zhou, added that the videos captured changes in Chinese society and presented everyday life images that may become meaningful records for future reflection.
The competition has run for three consecutive years. In addition to viewing the videos, attendees were treated to Chinese dances and songs, and several students delivered speeches in Chinese about China as they see it.
While the event showcased a vibrant exchange of cultural ideas, participants and organisers expressed interest in further expanding the competition’s reach and encouraging wider participation in future iterations.
While the sources highlight the competition’s success and its role in boosting language learning, they do not report any uncertainties about its future or its impact on cultural ties.