Award ceremony of 'Meet Panda' Global Short Video Campaign held in London

A group photo of some award winners at the award ceremony of the "Meet Panda" Global Short Video Campaign. (Photo by Yang Haopeng)

The award ceremony of the "Meet Panda" Global Short Video Campaign, jointly organized by People's Daily Online Australia and People's Daily Online UK, was held recently in London. Bringing together inspiring stories about China from cross-cultural perspectives, the campaign promoted cultural exchange and strengthened people-to-people connections across borders.

The campaign was launched in September 2025 and completed its submission and judging process in June 2026. More than 100 entries were received from across Australia and the United Kingdom. A professional judging panel composed of cultural and arts representatives from both countries selected 20 outstanding works and four individual award winners. The campaign also gained wide attention on Chinese, Australian and British social media platforms, attracting strong public interest and engagement.

British content creator Alex Randall, who lived in Hangzhou for a decade, received both the Best Influence Award and the campaign's highest honor, the Most Popular in China Award, for his video "Challenging the Most Chinese-style Room in the UK." The video humorously showcases the rich Chinese cultural elements throughout his home, from furniture to traditional decorations, prompting many viewers to comment that his house looks "more Chinese than many homes in China." Randall said Chinese culture has become an integral part of his life and that the awards have encouraged him to continue telling authentic stories about China through his lens. As the recipient of the campaign's top award, he will also be invited on a one-week visit to China.

The Confucius Institute at Ulster University in Northern Ireland received the Best Cooperation Award for its musical productions "Panda, Panda, Not a Cat," "Little Birds Love the Blue Sky" and "Baby Pandas." Accepting the award on behalf of the institute, teacher Wang Ke said the campaign had provided an opportunity to bring Chinese culture into local primary and secondary schools. During classroom activities, children learned Chinese songs about pandas, became familiar with Chinese characters and gained a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture. "The children love pandas and enjoy singing Chinese songs," he said. "We will continue encouraging them to participate in the campaign."

Thirteen-year-old Yunshu Ba, who is of Chinese and British heritage, received an Outstanding Award for his video "China Through the Eyes of a 13-year-old Chinese-British Mixed-race Child." He traveled from Manchester with his mother to attend the ceremony and share his personal connection with China. He said every trip to China has left him with unforgettable memories, and he hopes to continue documenting his family's experiences to help more young people appreciate the richness of Chinese culture.

Australian participants Dong Min and Ian Grace received the Best Story Award and Best Editing Award, respectively. In her acceptance video, Chinese folk musician Dong Min said the campaign was more than a short-video competition; it was a valuable opportunity to tell stories about Chinese culture and promote cross-cultural exchange through visual storytelling. Grace also sent his best wishes through a video message, expressing his hope to continue using music as a bridge to embark on more wonderful journeys related to China in the future.