(Borneo Bulletin, Bandar Seri Begawan, 29th) The 2nd Jing-Jin-Ji (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei)–ASEAN Country Students' “Me and China” Chinese Story Short Video Showcase event recently concluded successfully at Tianjin Normal University. In this cultural feast gathering international students from ten ASEAN countries and the Jing-Jin-Ji region, five students selected by Brunei Chinese Middle School stood out with their work "The Story of 'Me and China'—Voices from Brunei Students", winning the "Youth Talent Award" and demonstrating excellent language expression skills and abundant creativity.
The award-winning students from the school are Lu Yiwei, He Zhelang, Liu Yu, Zhang Tingyu, and Zheng Yawen. The prize includes a Huawei sports watch worth 1,500 yuan (RMB) and a certificate of honor. Brunei Chinese Middle School was awarded the “Best Overseas Organization Award”, and teacher Zhang Qingfu received the “Outstanding Instructor Award”.
The above activity was guided by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (Ministry of Education of China) and the China-ASEAN Center, supported by the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, China Education Press Agency, and China Education Association for International Exchange, and co-organized by the education commissions (departments) of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province, and hosted by Tianjin Normal University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Hebei Normal University as a practical Chinese language activity. The event's theme, "Bridging Hearts Beyond Mountains and Seas for the Future", aims to promote cultural exchanges among Chinese and ASEAN youth, encouraging students to tell their own stories with China in Chinese.
The “Me and China” short video competition, based in Jing-Jin-Ji but targeting students from 10 ASEAN countries and ASEAN international students in Jing-Jin-Ji, has been held for two years and is very popular among ASEAN students. This year, overseas organizations were established in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos, the Philippines, and other countries. Over 4,700 participants from all ten ASEAN countries submitted more than 500 short videos—both the scale and number of entries have doubled.
The five students from Brunei Chinese Middle School created their short video with “mutual cultural learning” at its core, vividly showcasing their passion for learning Chinese and their understanding and love for Chinese culture. Through the perspective of Bruneian students, the work recounts what ASEAN youth have seen, heard, and felt in China, depicting their experiences and reflections in people-to-people exchanges, language learning, cultural exploration, and the building of friendships.
The video opens with Zhang Tingyu, He Zhelang, Luo Yiwei, and Liu Yu sincerely narrating their personal stories through vivid scenes, sharing messages of friendship across borders and looking forward to broad prospects for China-ASEAN cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative. In the middle, there is a segment where Zheng Yawen draws live, portraying how they have grown and transformed on the vibrant and ancient land of China, which not only deepens their understanding of Chinese culture but also promotes friendship between China and ASEAN countries. The video ends with all five students walking forward hand in hand, expressing their vision for a beautiful future together and highlighting the Bruneian youth’s mission and responsibility as cultural ambassadors.
Ms. Hii Nyuk Lan, Principal of Brunei Chinese Middle School, warmly congratulated the five students for winning the “Youth Talent Award”. She said: “Language is the key to opening the door to culture. Through diverse approaches, Brunei Chinese Middle School students have let the world see the ‘bond over mountains and seas’ between Brunei and China. This cross-border youth dialogue is using culture as a vessel to sail into a broader future.”
She stated that the competition not only provided students an opportunity to showcase their Chinese proficiency but also deepened their understanding of Chinese culture, which will have a profound impact on their future learning and life. The school will continue to enrich and perfect the special curriculum of Chinese language education, encouraging more students to combine local culture to create more “Me and China” stories and participate in various international cultural exchange activities.
The award-winning students from the school are Lu Yiwei, He Zhelang, Liu Yu, Zhang Tingyu, and Zheng Yawen. The prize includes a Huawei sports watch worth 1,500 yuan (RMB) and a certificate of honor. Brunei Chinese Middle School was awarded the “Best Overseas Organization Award”, and teacher Zhang Qingfu received the “Outstanding Instructor Award”.
The above activity was guided by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (Ministry of Education of China) and the China-ASEAN Center, supported by the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, China Education Press Agency, and China Education Association for International Exchange, and co-organized by the education commissions (departments) of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province, and hosted by Tianjin Normal University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Hebei Normal University as a practical Chinese language activity. The event's theme, "Bridging Hearts Beyond Mountains and Seas for the Future", aims to promote cultural exchanges among Chinese and ASEAN youth, encouraging students to tell their own stories with China in Chinese.
The “Me and China” short video competition, based in Jing-Jin-Ji but targeting students from 10 ASEAN countries and ASEAN international students in Jing-Jin-Ji, has been held for two years and is very popular among ASEAN students. This year, overseas organizations were established in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos, the Philippines, and other countries. Over 4,700 participants from all ten ASEAN countries submitted more than 500 short videos—both the scale and number of entries have doubled.
The five students from Brunei Chinese Middle School created their short video with “mutual cultural learning” at its core, vividly showcasing their passion for learning Chinese and their understanding and love for Chinese culture. Through the perspective of Bruneian students, the work recounts what ASEAN youth have seen, heard, and felt in China, depicting their experiences and reflections in people-to-people exchanges, language learning, cultural exploration, and the building of friendships.
The video opens with Zhang Tingyu, He Zhelang, Luo Yiwei, and Liu Yu sincerely narrating their personal stories through vivid scenes, sharing messages of friendship across borders and looking forward to broad prospects for China-ASEAN cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative. In the middle, there is a segment where Zheng Yawen draws live, portraying how they have grown and transformed on the vibrant and ancient land of China, which not only deepens their understanding of Chinese culture but also promotes friendship between China and ASEAN countries. The video ends with all five students walking forward hand in hand, expressing their vision for a beautiful future together and highlighting the Bruneian youth’s mission and responsibility as cultural ambassadors.
Ms. Hii Nyuk Lan, Principal of Brunei Chinese Middle School, warmly congratulated the five students for winning the “Youth Talent Award”. She said: “Language is the key to opening the door to culture. Through diverse approaches, Brunei Chinese Middle School students have let the world see the ‘bond over mountains and seas’ between Brunei and China. This cross-border youth dialogue is using culture as a vessel to sail into a broader future.”
She stated that the competition not only provided students an opportunity to showcase their Chinese proficiency but also deepened their understanding of Chinese culture, which will have a profound impact on their future learning and life. The school will continue to enrich and perfect the special curriculum of Chinese language education, encouraging more students to combine local culture to create more “Me and China” stories and participate in various international cultural exchange activities.