“For the sake of auld lang syne…we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for the sake of auld lang syne.” 

As the melodious music filled the air, youth representatives from Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria, Egypt, and China joined hands and sang the song Auld Lang Syne. Through imagery and music, the Silk Road friendship shone brightly on stage, transcending borders.  

 

Chinese and Foreign Youths Sang Auld Lang Syne 

 

On December 6th, The Third Silk Road International Youth Photography and Short Video Competition Award Ceremony and the Launch Ceremony of Fourth Competition, hosted by the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and Fuzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, was held at Fuzhou Strait International Conference and Exhibition Center. 

Nearly 100 people, including distinguished guests such as Mr. Liang Dong, Member of the Leading Party Members Group of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government; Mr. Adam Azim, Mayor of Malé, Maldives; Mr. Tomasz Sobieraj, Mayor of Koszalin, Poland; Mr. Chintan Tamang, Mayor of Dhankuta, Nepal; Mr. Hay Yong, Vice Mayor of Siem Reap, Cambodia; Mr. Saveuy Silavanh, Vice Mayor of Luang Prabang, Laos; Ms. Debi Marshall-Lob, Deputy Mayor of Palmerston North, New Zealand; Ms. Cornelia Chin Siew Ling, Consul of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Guangzhou; Mr. Charleson C. Hermosura, Consul of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Xiamen, as well as delegates from Fuzhou’s friendship cities, friendly exchange cities, intent friendship cities, members of the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee, diplomatic missions in China, expert judges, and award winners, gathered together for the cultural feast.  

 

Mr. Liang Dong, Member of the Leading Party Members Group of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government 

 

On behalf of Fuzhou city, Mr. Liang Dong, Member of the Leading Party Members Group of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government, welcomed the guests to the event. He highlighted Fuzhou’s role as a vital gateway and strategic pivot city on the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, standing at the forefront of openness and exchange. “Teenagers are the inheritors of culture and the creators of the future,” he said, expressing hope that they would capture Fuzhou’s beauty with their lenses and recount its stories creatively to showcase the vibrancy of China and Fuzhou to the world. 

He expressed hope that the competition would serve as a bridge connecting the youth worldwide, fostering deeper exchanges and cooperation between Fuzhou and its international friendship cities, including Malé (Maldives), Koszalin (Poland), Dhankuta (Nepal), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Luang Prabang (Laos), Palmerston North (New Zealand), Tacoma (United States), Campinas (Brazil), and others—broadening the road of cooperation and deepening the ties of friendship. 

 

Mr. Adam Azim, Mayor of Malé, Maldives 

 

Mr. Adam Azim, Mayor of Malé, Maldives said that the Maritime Silk Road has always been a symbol of unity, connecting nations across vast seas, and building bridges of friendship and understanding among diverse civilizations. He commended the competition for its positive contribution to cultural exchange along the Silk Road. As an innovative platform for strengthening cultural ties, the competition showcases the charm of diverse cultures through photography. He expressed his hope that the power of creativity and innovation unleashed by the competition would continue to inspire youth from Silk Road countries, encouraging them to keep the Silk Road spirit alive and work together to create a bright future for Silk Road culture. 

 

Mr. Hay Yong, Vice Mayor of Siem Reap, Cambodia 

 

Mr. Hay Yong, Vice Mayor of Siem Reap, Cambodia, congratulated all the young participants and praised the outstanding performance of Cambodian contestants in the competition. The participants depicted the diverse landscapes and cultures of Silk Road countries through their works. He noted that the competition provides a platform for global youth to share their unique visions and celebrate the diversity of Silk Road culture and expressed his hopes for continued collaboration among all parties to foster cultural exchange and cooperation along the Silk Road. 

The winners were announced at the award ceremony. Mr. Liang Dong, Member of the Leading Party Members Group of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government, presented awards to the winners alongside Mr. Adam Azim, Mayor of Malé, Maldives; Mr. Tomasz Sobieraj, Mayor of Koszalin, Poland; Mr. Chintan Tamang, Mayor of Dhankuta, Nepal; Mr. Saveuy Silavanh, Vice Mayor of Luang Prabang, Laos; Ms. Debi Marshall-Lob, Deputy Mayor of Palmerston North, New Zealand, respectively. 

 

Presenting awards 

 

Six winners gave acceptance speeches. Chen Nuo from Fuzhou Gezhi High School, first-prize winner of Photography Group A for her work The Beauty of Cultural and Historical Depths, said that the competition has strengthened friendships among youth; Mozherenkova Anna from Russia, first-prize winner of Photography Group B for A Mountain Village in the Caucasus, expressed her hope that the platform would unite cultural landscapes from all over the world; Chen Junpeng from Kunming, China, also first-prize winner of Photography Group B for Festival of Fire, shared the valuable experience he gained from the competition; Jolancce Joseph from Malaysia, first-prize winner of Short Video Group A for The Tip of Borneo, Kudat, Sabah, pledged to continue her passion for photography; Akpan Comfort from Nigeria said that culture is our story, our tradion, and our bridge; Henrique Miguel de Santana from Brazil emphasised his country’s rich heritage, and that inspiring stories between China and Brazil will continue to emerge.  

The Third Silk Road International Youth Photography and Short Video Competition garnered widespread attention both domestically and internationally, receiving 2,755 entries from 68 countries across five continents, painting a vivid picture of mutual understanding and shared cultural prosperity among Silk Road countries. 

 

Launch Ceremony of the Fourth Silk Road International Youth Photography and Short Video Competition 

 

At the ceremony, Mr. Liang Dong, Member of the Leading Party Members Group of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government, officially announced the launch of the Fourth Silk Road International Youth Photography and Short Video Competition. Under the theme "Bridging Cultures Through Imagery", the competition aims to promote the Silk Road spirit, encourage cultural exchanges among the Silk Road countries, and contribute to global cultural prosperity. 

After the ceremony, the leaders and guests toured the exhibition of excellent works, immersing themselves in the brilliance of Silk Road culture. 

During the event, the winners visited the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Foochow Arsenal Historic Site, and Yantai Hill to experience Fuzhou’s cultural charm and witness the city’s vitality. Through these cultural exchanges, the young people strengthened their friendships, crafting a shared chapter of cross-border connection. 

 

 

Source: 21CMCC