Teenagers praised after winning awards in Malta

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

The awards and the mascot of the 2022 Winter Olympics, held in Beijing, were presented at the China Cultural Center by counselor Peng Yijun from the Chinese embassy in Malta. 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 performance in the event and encouraged them to continue to learn Chinese, explore Chinese culture, and promote cultural exchanges 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 said 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 said.

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

This event is organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation in collaboration with China cultural centers around the world. Since the launch of the event in June 2021, a total of 209 videos made by teenagers from 32 countries have been received. The China Cultural Center in Malta and the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society worked together to promote the event.