The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) inaugurated the 2023 "Junior Culture Ambassadors" event along with an award ceremony to recognize the winners of the 2022 program on March 28 at the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Center for Young People (CSCLSCC). Li Bin, vice chairwoman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and CSCLF chairwoman, attended the event and announced the launch of the 2023 edition of the "Junior Culture Ambassador" selection. Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum and a member of the CPC leadership group of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, CSCLF vice chairmen Jing Dunquan and Yu Qun, and Lu Xian'gao, deputy chief editor of Guangming Daily, were also in attendance.

Wang Xudong congratulated the students and institutions who won the awards in the 2022 event and thanked the overseas Chinese cultural centers for organizing the event. He praised the participants for their love of Chinese culture and noted increased participation and reach of the event. Wang also highlighted the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's continued support for the event to cultivate young cultural ambassadors and promote exchanges between Chinese and foreign civilizations.

Yu Qun said in his speech that he was delighted to see the promise of inviting the "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" of the 2021 and 2022 events, as well as representatives from relevant institutions, to come to China to attend the ceremony and related cultural activities has been fullfiled. He further expressed his desire for more young people and organizations to take part in the activities and learn about China. Yu stressed the introduction of the Global Civilization Initiative, which offers a Chinese solution for promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. He called for all parties to work together, and take the "Junior Cultural Ambassador" activities as a platform for young people worldwide to experience Chinese culture and gain a better understanding of the real China.

At the event, the Soong Ching Ling Peace Angel Art Troupe, along with Chinese and foreign "Junior Cultural Ambassadors," delivered a captivating cultural performance that highlighted China's excellent traditional art. Their presentation was well-received by online and offline audiences.

Four students from Hungary, Australia, Benin, and Myanmar shared their stories about learning Chinese culture and their experiences in China as "Junior Cultural Ambassadors." Molnár Benedek from Hungary said that he is looking forward to visiting the Former Residence of Lu Xun in this year's event and hopes to contribute to promoting cultural exchanges between Hungary and China in the future.

Katherine Hartwig from Australia expressed her gratitude to the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and her teachers for sparking her interest in China. She hopes to contribute to cultural exchanges between Australia and China.

Adjalla Owen from Benin, a two-time participant of the "Junior Cultural Ambassador" events in 2021 and 2022, described the experience as both tense and exciting. He saw being a "Junior Cultural Ambassador" as an honor and a mission to promote cultural exchanges and friendship between Benin and China.

Eden from Myanmar, who grew up on the border of Myanmar and China and is currently studying in Ruili city, Yunnan province, expressed that being a "Junior Cultural Ambassador" holds significant meaning. He hopes to be a bridge for cultural exchange between the two countries and to share his knowledge of both cultures with friends in other nations.

Background information

China Soong Ching Ling Foundation has developed the "Junior Cultural Ambassador" event with the primary objective of promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning among young people both in China and abroad. Since its inception in 2021, the event has been held twice, becoming a key platform for Chinese and foreign youths to showcase their abilities, interact, and express their views.

The 2022 "Junior Cultural Ambassador" event attracted 457 works from 41 countries. Out of these, 154 works were shortlisted for online voting, generating over 56.38 million visits across all media platforms worldwide. The event recognized 30 winners and 30 nominees of the "Junior Cultural Ambassadors," respectively, as well as 16 winners of the Internet Popularity Award.

The winners of the past two sessions were invited to China to attend the award ceremony and cultural exchange events from March 26 to April 1.