Beijing, China — The second Orchid Awards were formally introduced at a news conference Thursday hosted by the China International Communications Group (CICG). A jury meeting to evaluate submissions is set for Friday.
Established by CICG in 2022, the Orchid Awards celebrate exceptional contributions to cultural exchange and the promotion of Chinese culture by non-Chinese individuals and organizations. The inaugural ceremony took place in 2023, marking the awards’ significant debut.
This year’s competition received global entries and utilized a multi-stage selection process, narrowing the field to 30 finalists announced during the conference. An expert committee will select the ten winners, including one recipient of the Lifetime Honorary Award, three for the Outstanding Achievement Award, and six for the Friendship Envoy Award.
Yu Tao, vice-president of CICG, stated that the Orchid Awards serve as a vital platform for implementing the Global Civilization Initiative. He emphasized the awards’ role in promoting shared human values such as peace, development, and democracy, highlighting their importance in fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding among civilizations.
The jury panel consists of 23 members, including a chairperson, three deputy chairpersons, a secretary-general, and 18 additional experts. According to Zhou Shuchun, deputy chair of the expert committee, the jury reflects a broad international representation, comprised of experts from nine countries spread across five continents. This diverse group includes scholars, media professionals, artists, and cultural entrepreneurs from China.
The experts bring extensive knowledge from various fields, such as Sinology, international cultural exchange, media communication, cultural heritage preservation, and the arts, encompassing areas like music and publishing as well as education and research initiatives.
In addition to the awards, CICG is enhancing the influence of the event through extensive cultural exchange efforts. These initiatives include hosting 17 events across 12 countries in 2024, publishing a book featuring the stories of ten laureates from the first edition, and facilitating cultural dialogues and field trips with laureates and international jury members.
The Orchid Awards aim to strengthen the cultural foundation necessary for building a global community committed to a shared future.
This article was automatically written by Open AI, and the people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate. Any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by emailing contact@publiclawlibrary.org.