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Maltese teens receive China’s ‘Junior Cultural Ambassadors’ awards
Published: Aug 04, 2022 07:21 PM
Students design their kites during the Chinese kite festival in Kalkara, Malta, on June 22, 2022. The Esplora Interactive Science Center in Malta was bustling with activities on Wednesday as students from primary schools got a break from the classroom to attend the 4th edition of the Chinese kite festival.(Photo: Xinhua)

Maltese students design their kites during the Chinese kite festival in Kalkara, Malta, on June 22, 2022.P hoto: Xinhua


Two Maltese teenagers were presented with awards at the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" event in Malta on Wednesday.

The awards, and the mascot of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, were presented at the China Cultural Center by Counselor Peng Yijun from the Chinese Embassy. Fourteen-year-old Amelie Calleja won the title of "Junior Cultural Ambassador," while 13-year-old Lea Helene Briffa won the "Excellent Award."

Peng praised the two winners for their excellent performance in this global event, and their efforts to support the Beijing Winter Olympics. 

Peng encouraged them to continue to learn Chinese, to explore Chinese culture, and promote cultural exchanges and friendship between China and Malta.

In their videos created for the event, both Amelie and Lea demonstrated their passion for learning Chinese, and their love for China and its culture.

Amelie told Xinhua she was excited to be awarded the title of Junior Cultural Ambassador, which would motivate her to study Chinese and learn more about Chinese culture. She added that she was looking forward to visiting China again.

Learning Chinese can enhance Maltese young people's understanding of China and its people, and strengthen the friendship between the two countries, Peng told Xinhua.

Activities similar to the Junior Cultural Ambassadors event are helpful in promoting exchanges and mutual understanding between China and Malta, he added.

Since the Junior Cultural Ambassadors event  was launched in June 2021, a total of 209 videos made by teenagers from 32 countries from six continents have been received. 

The China Cultural Center in Malta and the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society worked together to promote the event.   

Xinhua