An awards ceremony of the 2025 Pacific Island Countries “China Through My Lens” Video Competition and opening ceremony of the Winners’ Visit to China Program was held at the Blue Room of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. Organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association with media support from Global Times Online, the event served as a significant milestone in people-to-people exchanges. It provided a dynamic platform for deepening dialogue and friendship between the youngsters of China and the Pacific Island countries.

Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association Liu Biwei, Special Envoy for the Chinese Government on Pacific Island Countries Affairs Qian Bo, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Vanuatu Li Minggang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Tonga Liu Weimin, Ambassador of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea to China H.E. Dr. Thaddeus Kambanei, Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia to China KS Vincent Sivas; Ambassador of the Republic of Fiji to China Robert Lee, Ambassador of Solomon Islands to China Barrett Salato, Ambassador of the Republic of Nauru to China Chitra Talat. Jeremiah, attended the ceremony and jointly witnessed this important moment of people-to-people cultural exchanges between China and the Pacific Island countries.

Liu stated that China and the Pacific Island countries are reliable partners. He praised the first “China Through My Lens” Video Competition, saying the high-quality submissions tell genuine stories of friendship and build bridges of understanding, significantly boosting people-to-people ties with fresh energy from the youngsters.

Qian reflected on the long history of the China–Pacific ties in his remarks. "Thousands of years ago, ancestors of Austronesians drove canoes from the south-east coast of China across the vast Pacific Ocean to many islands in the South Pacific." he stated. He emphasized that over the long course of history, the Pacific has served as a bridge for connection and friendship, not a barrier to it.

H.E. Dr. Thaddeus Kambanei underscored the significance of the "China Through My Lens" Video Competition. Heemphasizedthat it was not only a tribute to the creativity of Pacific Island youth, but also a powerful reflection of the deepening friendship between China and the Pacific Island countries."As the world becomes increasingly interconnected," he stated, "people-to-people exchanges such as this play a vital role in shaping the foundations of enduring partnerships."

Shi said the competition created a platform for mutual understanding—allowing people in the Pacific Islands to see China’s development through the videos, while giving Chinese audiences a glimpse of the Pacific’s unique nature and culture. He noted that this was the competition’s real significance: turning the story of China–Pacific relations from abstract ideas on a map into relatable experiences and lasting memories for everyone involved.

"My video sought to capture a simple truth: that the most significant achievements in cooperation between our nations are not only measured in infrastructure or trade agreements, but in the intangible fabric of human connection." said Brandon Kiangali of Papua New Guinea, winner of the Gold awards. He also elaborated on the Chinese concept of 'harmony in diversity,' central to his video's message. "It is the conscious embrace of different melodies that, together, create a more beautiful and resilient whole."

The 2025 Pacific Island Countries “China Through My Lens” Video Competition has received strong engagement across the region since its launch, attracting nearly 200 submissions from 10 Pacific Island countries. Content from the event has already generated over 15 million views on international platforms, marking a standout example of cultural exchange between China and the Pacific Island countries. Following the awards ceremony, the winners will visit Shandong, Fujian, and other parts of China to experience the country’s diverse culture firsthand.