On Jan 6, the first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei ASEAN International Students “My Story with China” Chinese Story Short Video General Display took place at Tianjin Normal University (TNU), with the attendance of over 1,000 representatives from relevant authorities and universities.

With the aim of promoting exchanges between Chinese and ASEAN youth, conveying the friendly voices between China and ASEAN, and contributing to the construction of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, the eight-month-long event has received a total of 306 excellent short video works from over 3,000 teachers and students from China and ASEAN countries.

Zhang Ling, deputy mayor of Tianjin, stressed that this event acts as an important exploration in deepening international Chinese education and strengthening educational exchange and cooperation between the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the ASEAN countries. More events will be held in Tianjin to further strengthen collaborative cooperation in Chinese language education and build a high-level international Chinese education brand.

Ma Jianfei, director of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) under the Chinese Ministry of Education, introduced that this event has opened a channel for young students from ASEAN countries to better understand China. The CLEC has been providing multiple opportunities, including the Chinese Bridge competition, the HSK program (the Chinese proficiency test), as well as international Chinese teacher volunteers and Chinese education scholarships programs, for Chinese language enthusiasts overseas to learn Chinese and study in China. Over the past five years, over 100,000 students from ASEAN countries have benefited from these programs. The CLEC is willing to cooperate with other parties and support more ASEAN youth to learn Chinese and share their stories with China.

Shi Zhongjun, secretary-general of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), said that ASEAN students are the storytellers of the long-standing friendship between China and ASEAN, as well as the new force in forming a stable foundation for future friendly relations. The ACC will continue to advocate and promote mutual understanding and development among Chinese and ASEAN youth, and will make further contributions to fostering a comprehensive strategic partnership and a community with a shared future between China and the ASEAN.

Djauhari Oratmangun, ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to China, stated that the video stories are an effective way to enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendships among youth. The stories of young people serve as a precious foundation for a better future between the ASEAN and China. The ASEAN and China, through promoting youth language and cultural exchanges, enhancing trust and understanding between the two sides, can collaborate to create a better future.

Wang Dinghua, Party secretary of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), stated that language reveals and shapes the world. More efforts are needed to strengthen the cultural understanding of international students, and promote the exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and other languages.

Qu Kai, Party secretary of TNU, said young people, through learning Chinese, can gain insight into the Chinese culture embedded in society, which is of great significance in promoting mutual understanding and exchanges between China and the ASEAN. Collaboration among universities from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region can present a genuine, comprehensive, and multidimensional image of China to the world.

Zhong Yinghua, former president of TNU and president of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, said that China has a long history of close interaction with the ASEAN, and the Chinese language serves as an important bridge connecting the two sides, fostering mutual understanding and friendship. The successful organization of this event would facilitate the establishment of international Chinese education partnerships, convey a friendly voice about the China-ASEAN friendship, and contribute to the construction of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Guo Yi, vice president of Hebei Normal University (HNU), stated that this event, themed "My Story with China", has vividly showcased the learning experiences, daily life moments, and integration with Chinese culture of ASEAN students studying in China through short videos, effectively promoting the mutual transmission of cultural values and ideas.

During the event, the attending guests watched the artistic performances of domestic and international students, and participated in the unveiling ceremony of the "ASEAN-China Educational Exchange and Cooperation Base" and the "Tianjin International Chinese Language Education Development Center" at TNU.

The first Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei ASEAN International Students “My Story with China” Chinese Story Short Video General Display was jointly undertaken by TNU, BFSU and HNU, and co-hosted by Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei’s education commissions, with support from the CLEC, ACC, the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, the China Education Press Agency, and the China Education Association for International Exchange.

This event is expected to be held annually with the mission of fostering interaction, mutual learning and inspiration among young students from China and the ASEAN. Following this event, more social practice camp events will be organized and outstanding participants in performance activities will have the opportunity to invite more Chinese language learners in their respective countries to come to China for social, linguistic, and cultural practice activities.