The Mission of China to the European Union has launched a new creative competition aimed at strengthening cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between young people in Europe and China.
Titled “Chinese and European Youth: Moving Forward Together”, the contest invites participants aged 15 to 35 from across the European Union to submit original cartoons or short videos exploring their experiences of China, Chinese culture, travel, or the relationship between China and Europe.
The initiative is organised by the Chinese Mission to the EU with artistic support from the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts (KoMASK). Organisers say the competition seeks to encourage young people to share stories, ideas and reflections through art and digital media while highlighting friendship and people-to-people exchanges between China and Europe.
Travel, culture and China-Europe relations at the heart of the competition
Participants are invited to create works inspired by themes such as “Experiencing Chinese Style”, “Visa-Free Travel to China” and “Youth Talking about China and Europe”.
Submissions may focus on Chinese culture, daily life, tourism experiences, study programmes, contemporary development, or broader reflections on the future of China-Europe relations.
According to the organisers, the competition aims to provide young Europeans with a platform to showcase their creativity while sharing personal perspectives on China and cross-cultural exchanges.
Selected works will be featured at major events organised by the Chinese Mission to the EU and may also be promoted through professional art institutions, media outlets and digital platforms.
Cartoons and short videos accepted
The contest is divided into two categories: cartoons and short videos.
Cartoon submissions may be hand-drawn or digitally created, with no restrictions on artistic style or technique. Both single-panel and multi-panel works are eligible.
For the video category, participants can submit vlogs, short films, micro-documentaries, music videos or other creative formats. Videos must not exceed five minutes in length and should be submitted in MP4 or MOV format.
All entries must be original works and cannot have been previously submitted to other competitions or used for commercial purposes.
The organisers have also specified that works generated using artificial intelligence, including AI-assisted creations, are not eligible.
Trip to China among prizes on offer
The competition offers a range of prizes, including four first prizes, each of which includes a trip to China organised by the Chinese Mission to the EU.
If a winner is unable to take part in the visit, the prize will be replaced by a return flight ticket between Belgium and China.
Hongcun is one of China's most magnificent villages! 😍#TravelTomorrow #China #ChinaTravel #Hongcun pic.twitter.com/ZokhxhCEc1
— Travel Tomorrow (@TravelTomorrowX) June 24, 2020
Additional prizes include smartphones, smartwatches and a laptop computer for the winner of the Most Popular Online Entry Award.
All participants will receive a certificate of merit issued by the Chinese Mission to the EU and may be given priority consideration for future exchange programmes and visits to China organised by the Mission.
How to participate
The competition is open now and will accept submissions until 1 August 2026.
Participants must submit their entries by email to youthchinaeu@gmail.com. The subject line should follow the format: Chinese and European Youth: Moving Forward Together_Name of the Author_Title of the Work.
Each submission must be accompanied by a short description in Chinese, English or French, including the participant’s category (Amateur or Professional), name, title of the work, date and place of creation, a brief description of no more than 200 words, and any personal Instagram or TikTok accounts.
NOTICE
— Mission of China to the EU (@ChinaEUMission) June 5, 2026
The cartoon and short video creative contest titled “Chinese and European Youth：Moving Forward Together,” under the host of the Chinese Mission to the EU and the artistic support from the Royal Society for Encouragement of the Fine Arts (KoMASK), is now in full swing. We… pic.twitter.com/XjIf06lKiT
Organisers also encourage participants to share their entries on Instagram or TikTok using the hashtag #YouthChinaEU and to follow the official account of the Chinese Mission to the EU, @missionchinaeu.
The winners are expected to be announced in September 2026 following an evaluation by a panel of experts and professionals. Judging will take into account both artistic quality and online engagement, including audience interaction on social media.
Strengthening people-to-people exchanges
The launch comes at a time when China continues to promote cultural, educational and tourism exchanges with Europe, including through expanded visa facilitation measures and youth exchange programmes designed to encourage greater people-to-people connectivity between the two regions.
By encouraging young Europeans to share their experiences, perceptions and creative visions of China, the organisers hope to foster a deeper understanding between the two sides and highlight the role of youth in shaping the future of China-Europe relations.
