China stories shared at Portugal video awards

LISBON — "Last year, I finally set foot in China and fulfilled a lifelong dream," 78-year-old Portuguese learner Joaquim Albuquerque said in Mandarin Chinese with a noticeable accent.

Albuquerque made the remarks on Saturday at the award ceremony for the "My China Story" short-video competition and the 2026 Chinese Ambassador Scholarship, hosted by the Chinese embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.

Albuquerque's fascination with China began in 2009 when he came across a page of Chinese text. Intrigued by the unfamiliar script, he decided to learn the language. What started as curiosity soon became a long-term commitment.

To mark his journey into the Chinese language, he even adopted a Chinese name for himself — Wang Long.

Last September, he realized his dream of visiting China. From the dramatic sandstone peaks of Zhangjiajie to Beijing's blend of ancient heritage and cutting-edge innovation, the trip left a lasting impression on him.

Albuquerque's story is just one among many featured in the short-video competition. Another contestant, Portuguese theater professional Samuel Pascoal, explained how Chinese language learning shaped his life path.

Years ago, Pascoal's interest in classical Chinese poetry led him to study Chinese and earn a scholarship to study at Nankai University in China.

Now working with a theater company in Porto, he is translating modern Chinese playwright Cao Yu's drama Thunderstorm into Portuguese, with the hope of introducing more Chinese theatrical works to local audiences.

If these stories reflect the growing appeal of Chinese language and culture among Portuguese adults, the experiences of siblings Keagan Ivan Oosthuizen, 11, and Skylar Theresa Oosthuizen, 9, suggest that such enthusiasm is also taking root among younger generations.

For them, practicing conversations, writing Chinese characters, watching Chinese cartoons and reading children's books in Chinese have become part of their daily lives. Chinese cuisine, history and traditional culture are among their favorite topics.

Participants at the event offered diverse perspectives on China through personal stories, travel experiences and everyday encounters.

Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Yang Yirui said the competition has attracted broad interest and enthusiastic participation across Portuguese society.

"Although the entries varied in theme and style, they all shared one common quality — sincerity," Yang said. "Through these vivid and personal stories, people from our two countries gain greater understanding of one another, and friendship grows stronger."

XINHUA