SA, China relations stronger than ever
THE launch of the 2021 China-Africa short video and photo competition in Beijing and on virtual platforms has been hailed as a way to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two partners.
The competition is in its third year and it coincides with the 65th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic ties between China and African countries.
It will run under the theme “Friendship in Focus, Together for Future”, to give opportunities to video creators and photographers to document touching stories of China-Africa friendship and co-operation, including people-to-people bonds.
Co-sponsors of the competition are the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation and China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and it is co-hosted by Beijing Review, Yangshipin, CGTN French and Trassion's HippoAD and Vskit, in partnership with Seneweb in Senegal and SA Independent Media Group.
Vice-president of CIPG Lu Cairong
encouraged participants to focus on the theme of this competition and explore moving stories of China-Africa friendship and collaboration with new perspectives.
Participants were also urged to demonstrate creativity and originality in the video and photo works by telling
stories in a down-to-earth manner that would be more appealing.
“In the history of traditional friendship between China and Africa, stories of mutual understanding can always touch people's hearts, regardless of time and distance,” he said.
Wu Peng, director-general of the
Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, remarked that the seeds of China-Africa relations had grown into a towering tree and the fruits would benefit people both in China and Africa.
“There are too many touching stories and wonderful moments during the course, which cannot be fully presented within just 100 seconds.”
He said the stories would serve as a bridge for people to acquire more in-depth understanding of the everstronger China-Africa friendship, and a more comprehensive understanding of China-Africa co-operation.
He strongly believes the competition will enhance understanding of the friendship and win-win co-operation between China and Africa.
Peng commended China-Africa solidarity in the fight against Covid-19, saying the co-operation had kept progressing in the face of the pandemic.
Li Yafang, president of Beijing Review, a media outlet under CIPG, said the competition had enabled the media agency to be connected to more individuals interested in promoting China-Africa friendship.
She said: “Our engagement in communicating with African countries helped us realise that all kinds of exchange activities led by media are crucial for promoting people-to-people bonds between China and Africa, providing their valuable perspectives as the witness of China-Africa friendship.”
Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Cameroon to China, Martin Mpana said the competition would enable storytellers to use photos and videos to preserve sound and verifiable information for the public. He encouraged the launch of similar initiatives in Africa with a view to having an environment conducive to the development of the image industry and promotion of artistic creation.
“This is one of the ways in which we will be able to show the true face of China-Africa relations, which bears the encouraging mark of an ambitious, fruitful and win-win partnership,” he said.
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