Foreigners give reasons to love Beijing

(ECNS) -- Amid sunshine and a breeze, the Award Ceremony of the Second “100 Reasons To Love Beijing” Short Video Competition was held at China Arts and Crafts Museum in Beijing last week.

A total of 100 videos were selected out of more than 3,500 to depict life in Beijing and the city’s charm. Foreign experts, employees, international students, and other foreigners took part in the competition and told their stories. Culture, history, people... everyone has their own but different reasons to love Beijing.

At the ceremony, two Special Honor awards, five Grand Prize, 10 First Prize, 15 Second Prize, 20 Third Prize, and 30 Excellent Works Awards were handed out. Besides these, five videos were awarded Most Popular Works Award and 10 units, for excellent organization.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics has drawn world attention and lots of works themed on this great event flooded the competition to show the passion and yearning toward the “Dual-Olympic” city and marvelous Games. Therefore, Best Winter-Olympics-Themed Award, Best Director Award, Best Creativity Award, Best Visual Effects Award, and Best Editing Award were especially handed out to selected works.

Michael Crook, laureate of the Friendship Award, the highest prize to commend foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization won a Special Honor this time. Living in Beijing for more than five decades, he said he himself has more than 100 reasons to love the city.

Influencer Situjianguo (English name Stuart) paid his visits to the Ice Ribbon and Winter Olympic Village. Watching his videos, those foreigners who cannot make it to the scene had the opportunity to “tour” them instead. At the ceremony, the Grand Prize winner led a talkshow performance revealing more details of his stories about the Games.

Professor David G. Evans from Beijing University of Chemical Technology has been living in Beijing for more than 30 years. After receiving Second Prize, he brought a chemical experiment to the stage. He took out an ordinary piece of paper and “magically”, the sentence “I love Beijing” appeared on it.

After the ceremony, the 100 videos will be promoted to platforms at home and abroad to show the world a vivid picture of Beijing’s livable environment and sustainable development.