In brief
In Auckland, 130 students from 24 schools presented 45 videos about modern China at the "Modern China Through My Eyes" competition. Chinese Consul General Chen Shijie, Professor Lawrence Zhang and Confucius Institute director Xuelin Zhou praised the event, highlighting its role in Chinese language learning and cultural exchange. Students also performed Chinese dances, songs and delivered speeches in Chinese.
Auckland’s streets hummed with anticipation on Wednesday when the city hosted the award ceremony for the 2026 "Modern China Through My Eyes" short video competition, a contest that drew 130 students from 24 schools and universities in the Auckland consular district.
The students had submitted 45 videos that paint scenes of contemporary Chinese life through their own lenses, according to a report from Xinhua. Each video was screened in turn, offering snapshots of daily routines, local customs and social changes in China.
During the ceremony, Chinese Consul General in Auckland Chen Shijie addressed the crowd, noting that the competition provides a platform for New Zealand students to demonstrate their Chinese language learning achievements and to narrate stories about China from their own perspectives. He encouraged more young people in New Zealand to study Chinese and to become ambassadors of China‑New Zealand friendship.
Professor Lawrence Zhang of the University of Auckland lauded the participants for their strong Chinese language skills, creative approaches and enthusiasm for exploration. He said activities such as this help strengthen cultural understanding and the ties that bind both nations.
Xuelin Zhou, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Auckland, explained that the students’ video submissions captured the evolution of Chinese society using concrete images of everyday life. He added that these moments could become valuable records to look back on in the future.
The competition has been held for three consecutive years, bringing every year a new batch of enthusiastic students to Auckland. The consistency of the event underscores its growing importance within the local community and the broader dialogue about China‑New Zealand relations.
Beyond screen time, the award ceremony showcased a vibrant array of Chinese dances and songs performed by students, followed by short speeches delivered in Chinese about how they see China today. The performances added a personal, cultural layer to the event, allowing attendees to experience Chinese cultural expressions firsthand.
Overall, the ceremony celebrated both the creative talents of the young participants and the cultural connections that extend between China and New Zealand, with speakers highlighting the educational benefits that can arise when language and media intersect.