3rd Orchid Awards global call for entries officially launched

On April 15, the 3rd Orchid Awards global call for entries was officially launched, with China International Communications Group (CICG) officially issuing the Announcement on the Selection of the 3rd Orchid Awards. Yu Yunquan, vice president of CICG, attended the launch ceremony and delivered keynote speech. The event invited over 80 guests, including Franco Amadei, representative of the Orchid Awards international jury and former cultural counsellor of the Italian Embassy in China; Stuart Wiggin, a British independent content creator and recipient of the Friendship Envoy Award at the 2nd Orchid Awards; Zong Linhong, representative of the nominating institutions and deputy director-general of the General Office of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); and Zhang Lei, media representative and editor-in-chief of China News Service (CNS). 

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), delivers a keynote speech at the launch ceremony of the 3rd Orchid Awards global call for entries in Beijing, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

In his speech, Yu Yunquan stated that the Orchid Awards are awards for friendship, cooperation, and peace, which echo the call of the times, represent professional caliber, and focus on global themes. Currently, the international landscape is complex and rapidly changing, and human society is facing unprecedented challenges. Therefore, through activities like the Orchid Awards, it is more urgent and important than ever to deepen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, promote mutual understanding and respect among people of all countries, and gather a global consensus on peaceful development and win-win cooperation. On the occasion of the launch of the global call for entries for the 3rd Orchid Awards, he hoped that everyone would actively follow, participate in, and promote the Orchid Awards. CICG will strengthen cooperation with all parties to jointly ensure the success of the nomination, selection, and commendation processes, as well as numerous supporting activities for the 3rd Orchid Awards.

Franco Amadei, representative of the Orchid Awards international jury and former cultural counsellor of the Italian Embassy in China, delivers remarks at the launch ceremony of the 3rd Orchid Awards global call for entries in Beijing, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Franco Amadei expressed in his speech that the Orchid Awards are not only a powerful vehicle for promoting international dialogue, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding among peoples, but they themselves also provide an ideal space for laureates and Chinese and international jury members to jointly practice these values. By honoring those individuals and institutions dedicated to the coexistence of civilizations, cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and common prosperity, the Orchid Awards prove that transcending national, geographical, and cultural boundaries is entirely possible.

Stuart Wiggin, a British independent content creator and recipient of the Friendship Envoy Award at the 2nd Orchid Awards, delivers remarks at the launch ceremony of the 3rd Orchid Awards global call for entries in Beijing, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Stuart Wiggin stated, "Winning the Orchid Awards makes me incredibly proud, and it also reinforces my belief in one thing: building bridges between different cultures, telling authentic stories, and helping people understand one another — these are truly meaningful work. Looking ahead, I hope the Orchid Awards will continue to grow and reach a broader global audience. I hope it becomes an important award that not only honors those who have already spoken up, but also encourages those dedicated to building bridges and making new voices heard to promote human solidarity."

Representatives launch the global call for entries for the 3rd Orchid Awards in Beijing, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Stuart Wiggin speaks to the media at the global call for entries for the 3rd Orchid Awards in Beijing, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Zhang Jinting, director of the China International Publishing Center and secretary-general of the Orchid Awards Secretariat, briefed the audience on the Announcement on the Selection of the 3rd Orchid Awards, sharing key information such as the eligibility criteria and award categories, the nomination of candidates, and the overall time schedule for the selection and commendation processes.

The Orchid Awards are major international cultural exchange awards initiated globally by CICG in 2022. The awards aim to actively practice the Global Civilization Initiative, promote the common values of humanity, foster cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and consolidate the cultural foundation for building a community with a shared future. Since its inception, nearly 100 Chinese and foreign institutions and over 10,000 Chinese and foreign friendly personages have actively participated in the nomination, selection, commendation, and exchange activities of the Orchid Awards, attracting widespread attention at home and abroad. In July 2025, the Orchid Awards selection event was successfully included in the Action Plan of the Ministerial Meeting on Global Civilization Dialogue; in March 2026, the development of the Orchid Awards brand activities was written into the outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan.

On the same day, China.org.cn released the Announcement on the Selection of the 3rd Orchid Awards to the world in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. The global call for entries for the 3rd Orchid Awards will close on May 15, 2026.

Participants pose for a group photo at the launch ceremony of the 3rd Orchid Awards global call for entries in Beijing, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

The launch ceremony of the 3rd Orchid Awards global call for entries is held in Beijing, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Over 20 media organizations, including People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group (CMG), Guangming Daily, Economic Daily, China News Service, CICG, and the "Xuexi Qiangguo" learning platform, attended and reported on the event.