On August 11, the 2026 “Colorful World” China-Africa Youth Painting Invitational Exhibition and the “Youth Aspirations” Beijing Youth Art Biennale Awards Ceremony and Opening Ceremony were held at the China Millennium Monument. This event, guided by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and co-hosted by the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Communist Youth League Beijing Municipal Committee, the Information Office of Beijing Municipality, and the Beijing Municipal Federation of Literary and Art Circles, took “Building the Dream of China-Africa Modernization Together” as its theme, gathering outstanding artistic works by Chinese and African youth to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-Africa diplomatic relations. Li Weihua, member of the Party Leadership Group of the Haidian District People's Congress Standing Committee and Executive Vice President of the District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and Shi Yue, Vice President and Secretary-General of the District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, attended the opening ceremony.
As a supporting unit of this event, the Haidian District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries actively undertook the unified collection and summary submission of works within its jurisdiction. In early July this year, the District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, as one of the overseas collection channels for this event, issued participation notices to African Chinese-language schools, widely mobilizing African youth to actively submit contributions. Through the designated email, works were uniformly received, organized, and submitted on schedule, building a convenient channel for youth participation in international cultural exchange.
The atmosphere at the opening ceremony was warm and enthusiastic. During the awards segment, Secretary-General Shi Yue, on behalf of the Haidian District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, stepped onto the stage to receive the “Outstanding Organizing Unit” honor. This award, presented by the organizing committee to units that made active efforts, extensively mobilized and meticulously organized youth participation, is a full affirmation of the District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries' solid work.
In the work selection, 6 out of 25 overseas works submitted by the Haidian District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries stood out, all from the Republic of South Africa, covering all age groups including the children's group, youth group and young adult group. Liang Chang'en's work “Hello from both sides” from the youth group won second prize. Chen Xiangsha's work “Together, We Rise” from the children's group and Qu Rui'an's work “Co-Painting the Future” won second prize and third prize respectively. Young adult group participant Dr. Andi Susan Carr's three works also respectively won two second prizes and one third prize. The artistic talent of South African youth and the friendship sentiment between China and Africa, transcending mountains and seas through the paintbrush, brilliantly bloomed at the China Millennium Monument.
The Haidian District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries will take this event as an opportunity to continue deeply cultivating the field of youth international cultural exchange, building a platform for Chinese and foreign people-to-people cultural exchange, and helping youth tell the story of civilian friendly exchanges on a broader world stage.
Source: District People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
