China-EU
Chinese and European Youth Invited to Showcase Creativity in International Cartoon and Short Video Contest
Young people across Europe are being invited to share their stories, ideas and creative visions of China-Europe friendship in a major international competition that offers the chance to win an unforgettable trip to China.
The Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union, with artistic support from the Royal Society for Encouragement of the Fine Arts (KoMASK), has officially launched the "Chinese and European Youth: Moving Forward Together" Cartoon and Short Video Creative Contest 2026.
The competition aims to strengthen mutual understanding between Chinese and European people by encouraging young creators to use art, animation, film and digital storytelling to explore cultural exchange, personal experiences and future aspirations for China-Europe relations.
A platform for creativity and dialogue
Organisers are calling on participants to submit original cartoons or short videos inspired by themes such as:
- Experiencing Chinese Style
- Visa-Free Travel to China
- Youth Talking about China and Europe
Entries may highlight Chinese culture, daily life, technological development, travel experiences, study exchanges, or personal reflections on China-Europe cooperation and friendship.
The contest is open to young people aged 15 to 35 living in EU member states, with separate categories for amateur creators and professional artists or art students.
Attractive prizes on offer
The competition offers an impressive range of awards:
First Prize
Four winners will receive an organised trip to China. If a winner is unable to participate in the visit, they will instead receive a return air ticket between Belgium and China.
Second Prize
Eight winners will receive a high-end smartphone from a leading Chinese brand.
Third Prize
Twelve winners will receive a high-end smartwatch.
Most Popular Online Entry
One participant will win a laptop computer, based on online engagement and popularity.
All participants will receive an official certificate from the Chinese Mission to the EU and may also be invited to future exchange programmes and visits to China.
Submission guidelines
Cartoon category
Artists may use any drawing style, technique or medium. Both hand-drawn and digital works are accepted, provided they are submitted in JPG format.
Short video category
Videos may take the form of vlogs, documentaries, short films, music videos or other creative formats. Each video must not exceed five minutes and should be submitted in MP4 or MOV format.
All entries must be original works and must not have been previously submitted to other competitions or used commercially. AI-generated or AI-assisted works are not eligible.
How to enter
Participants should send their entries to:
The email subject line should read:
Chinese and European Youth: Moving Forward Together – Author Name – Title of Work
Entrants are also encouraged to post their work on Instagram or TikTok using the hashtag:
#YouthChinaEU
and to follow the Chinese Mission to the EU's social media account:
@missionchinaeu
Important dates
- Competition opens: Now
- Submission deadline: 1 August 2026
- Judging: September 2026
- Award ceremony: To be announced following the selection process
Building bridges through creativity
As China and the European Union mark five decades of diplomatic relations, the organisers hope the competition will provide a platform for young people to share fresh perspectives, strengthen cultural understanding and contribute to people-to-people exchanges.
Through cartoons, films and digital storytelling, participants have an opportunity not only to showcase their artistic talents but also to help shape the next chapter of China-Europe friendship.
For full details and contest rules, participants can contact the organisers via [email protected] or follow @missionchinaeu on social media.
EU Reporter welcomes initiatives that encourage cultural dialogue, artistic expression and international understanding among young people.
Share this article:
EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter. Please see EU Reporter’s full Terms and Conditions of publication for more information EU Reporter embraces artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance journalistic quality, efficiency, and accessibility, while maintaining strict human editorial oversight, ethical standards, and transparency in all AI-assisted content. Please see EU Reporter’s full A.I. Policy for more information.
-
Kazakhstan3 days agoKazakhstan cuts water use by 874 mln m³ through new technologies
-
San Marino5 days agoInconvenient questions about Andorra and San Marino that Brussels should be asking
-
General3 days agoSerbia’s business environment is driving its integration into the EU
-
General5 days agoHow digital wallets are changing the way Welsh consumers pay for online services

