On November 29, the Shandong Provincial College Students’ “Telling China’s Stories in Chinese and Korean” Competition concluded successfully at the International Academic Exchange Center of Qingdao Binhai University. The competition was jointly organized by Qingdao Binhai University and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Qingdao, and co-organized by the Shandong Education International Exchange Association and Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press. The event received strong support from institutions such as Beijing Foreign Studies University and Shanghai International Studies University. A total of 43 contestants from 24 universities across the country registered for the competition.

Group Photo of Participants

At the opening ceremony, Han Fangxi, Founder and President of Qingdao Binhai University, delivered a welcome address. He noted that since its founding, the university has offered Korean language programs, actively promoted China–Korea people-to-people exchanges, introduced high-quality educational resources from the Republic of Korea, and continuously enhanced cooperation with Korean partners. Building on last year’s competition, which featured monolingual Korean presentations, this year’s event achieved an innovative upgrade by adopting a bilingual Chinese–Korean format for the first time. This new approach marked a shift in cross-cultural communication from “one-way storytelling” to “two-way resonance,” aiming to create a mutual platform where students from both countries can not only tell vivid Chinese stories but also immerse themselves in the rich charm of Chinese culture.

Welcome Address by Han Fangxi, Founder and President of Qingdao Binhai University

The competition atmosphere was vibrant and engaging. Centered on themes such as China–Korea friendship, traditional Chinese culture, and the spirit of the times, contestants impressed judges and audiences alike with their solid language skills and vivid storytelling. Ultimately, four contestants from Shandong Normal University, Qingdao Binhai University, and Shandong University of Science and Technology won first prizes in the International Student Group and the Chinese Student Group.

Address by Ryu Chang-soo, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Qingdao

Ryu Chang-soo, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Qingdao, highly praised the competition for using youth as a bridge and storytelling as a medium to promote language exchange and cultural mutual learning between China and Korea, and expressed his appreciation for the meticulous organization by the host institution.

Remarks by Yang Jun, Director of the Asia Division, Qingdao Municipal Foreign Affairs Office

Yang Jun, Director of the Asia Division of the Qingdao Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, pointed out that the competition closely aligns with the contemporary need to deepen China–Korea people-to-people exchanges. By integrating language learning with cultural communication, the event not only showcased the talent and vitality of young people from both countries but also further strengthened the public foundation of China–Korea friendship.

Highlights of Contestants’ Performances

The competition successfully built a bridge for young people from China and Korea to “tell stories through bilingual expression and forge friendships through culture.” Taking this event as an opportunity, Qingdao Binhai University will continue to advance the deep integration of language education and cross-cultural communication, further enhance the international expression of Chinese stories, and contribute to the enduring friendship and shared development of cultural exchange between China and Korea.