The award ceremony of China-Panama Children's Painting Competition was held at the Confucius Institute of the University of Panama, on October 7. The event was jointly held by the Chinese Embassy in Panama, Beijing International Studies University (BISU), the University of Panama, the Panama ASA Foundation and the Confucius Institute of the University of Panama. Zheng Chengjun, vice-principal of BISU, Jin Liang, Chinese Counselor for Culture and Education in Panama, Yessenia Echeverria director of the department of technical cooperation of the Ministry of Culture of Panama, José Emilio, vice-president of the University of Panama, and Katya Sanchez president of the Panama International Academy of Culture, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches.

Zheng Chengjun, vice-principal of BISU delivers a speech [Photo provided by bisu.edu.cn]

Zheng said in his speech that this competition took the “canal” as its theme because the Panama Canal and China’s Beijing-Hangzhou Canal are world famous, and represent the wisdom and diligence of the two countries’ peoples and the unique connection between two countries’ cultures. Children of China and Panama used their imaginations and creativity to draw the two countries’ canals. He called for further communication and cooperation in the two countries’ education and culture, to enhance mutual understanding and trust between two countries’ peoples and jointly build a better future for China and Panama.

Jin Liang, Chinese Counselor for Culture and Education in Panama, delivers a speech [Photo provided by bisu.edu.cn]

Jin noted that China and Panama have jointly held many major cultural events in recent years. He hoped that the young people of the two countries can further strengthen understanding and trust through this competition and the following exhibitions, building a bridge for cultural, artistic and spiritual communication between the people of the two nations.

Yessenia Echeverria, director of the department of technical cooperation of the Ministry of Culture of Panama, delivers a speech [Photo provided by bisu.edu.cn]

Yessenia Echeverria praised the imagination and creativity of the two countries’ children. She, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture of Panama, extended her congratulations to all competitors and encouraged them to grow into artists of in the next generation.

José Emilio reviewed the achievements of the Confucius Institute of the University of Panama since its establishment. The University of Panama and the ASA foundation have held a drawing competition or art exhibition with the Chinese Embassy in Panama and the Ministry of Culture of Panama every year, since the establishment of the Confucius Institute. He also expressed his congratulations to award-winning children.

José Emilio, vice-president of the University of Panama, delivers a speech [Photo provided by bisu.edu.cn]

Katya Sanchez reviewed students’ experiences of learning Chinese since the launch of the Confucius Institute in 2018. She said that this competition provides an opportunity for both countries’ children to learn each other’s history and culture and conduct communication through art.

Katya Sanchez, president of the Panama International Academy of Culture, delivers a speech [Photo provided by bisu.edu.cn]

Guests present award to a child [Photo provided by bisu.edu.cn]

The judging panel of this competition was made up by painters from China and Panama. The competition has received more than 200 works and selected 60 award-winning works.