Creativity, language skills and cross-cultural storytelling took center stage at Assumption University of Thailand (AU) on September 24, 2026, as the Confucius Institute at Assumption University (CIAU) hosted the finals of the inaugural “Me and China” Chinese Story Short Video Competition.
Ten finalist teams from Thailand and Vietnam, comprising 44 participants, gathered to present their stories before a distinguished judging panel, transforming personal experiences with China into short films, live Chinese narration and lively on-stage exchanges.
At the end of the competition, “From Gestures to Language” claimed First Prize, leading a strong field of entries that explored Chinese culture, language learning, friendship and personal discovery.
And the Winners Are…
🏆 First Prize
“From Gestures to Language”
🥈 Second Prize
“Chinatown Bangkok”
“One Cup of Tea, Three Hearts”
🥉 Third Prize
“Cross-Language Encounter”
“My Journey of Learning Chinese”
“The Zhou Jielun Concert”
The winning works stood out for the different ways they interpreted the theme “Me and China,” with stories ranging from language and cultural encounters to travel, music, tradition and friendship.
Together, they showed how young people can use short-form video not only to tell a story, but also to share a personal connection with another culture.
A Final Built on Storytelling
The competition was launched on July 27 under the theme “我与中国 – Me and China,” inviting individual and team entries to share their experiences of Chinese language, culture, personal encounters and creativity through short video.
Submissions closed on August 26, leading to the selection of finalists for the September 24 final round.
During the finals, each team competed across three components: a video presentation, live Chinese narration and a question-and-answer session with the judges.
Contestants introduced the ideas behind their work, shared the personal experiences that inspired their videos and responded to questions in Chinese, demonstrating both language proficiency and confidence on stage.
Stories Across Cultures
The finalist entries covered a broad range of subjects.
Some participants explored Chinese heritage and traditional customs, including stories from Bangkok’s Chinatown. Others reflected on their own journeys learning Chinese, while several focused on friendships and exchanges between young people from different countries.
The variety of subjects gave the competition a distinctly personal character, with each team approaching China through its own experiences and perspective.
University Leaders Join the Celebration
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Kitikorn Dowpiset, Vice President of Assumption University; Dr. Sansanee Aranyanak Khlaewkhla, Director of the Office of Graduate Studies; and Mr. Zhao Peiqin, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Assumption University.
In his welcome address, Dr. Kitikorn encouraged participants to present authentic and multidimensional perspectives of China through their own experiences.
He also encouraged young people to continue using the Chinese language as a means of communication, storytelling and cultural exchange, while contributing to greater understanding between Thailand and China.
A Distinguished Judging Panel
The judging panel was chaired by Associate Professor Han Shenglong, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Chulalongkorn University.
He was joined by Professor Hou Yazhu, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Huachiew Chalermprakiet University; Mr. Liu Xiaodong, Chinese Director of the Confucius Classroom at Tamaesat School; Ms. Nan Fang, Chinese Director of the Confucius Classroom at Assumption College Thonburi; and Dr. Triporn Kasempremchit, Chairperson of the Business Chinese Department at Assumption University.
The panel evaluated entries based on creativity, thematic content, Chinese-language expression and on-stage presentation.
Young Voices, Wider Connections
The inaugural competition attracted interest from students in Thailand, Vietnam and beyond, reflecting the growing appeal of short-form video as a tool for language learning and cultural communication.
By encouraging participants to tell their own “Me and China” stories, CIAU created a platform where young people could combine digital creativity with Chinese-language skills and personal experience.
For the winners, the finals offered more than a place on the podium. Their work became part of a larger conversation about culture, curiosity and connection.
And for the Confucius Institute at Assumption University, the inaugural competition marked a promising beginning, one story, one screen and one young voice at a time.
WRITER: ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY OF THAILAND
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