To further promote cultural exchange between the People’s Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates, deepen young people’s understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, society, and development, and encourage artistic creativity through calligraphy and painting, the China Cultural Center in the UAE is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 UAE “Nihao! China” Youth Calligraphy & Painting Competition.
Competition Theme: Nihao! China
Participants are invited to create original artworks inspired by one of the following themes:
- China Through My Eyes: Express your understanding, imagination, and personal perspective of China through artistic creation.
- Impressions of Chinese Culture: Explore the richness of Chinese traditions, festivals, cuisine, traditional clothing, calligraphy, architecture, and other cultural elements.
- My Journey to China: Capture China’s breathtaking landscapes, historical landmarks, cultural heritage, and memorable travel experiences.
- China’s Technology and Innovation: Showcase China’s achievements in science, technology, innovation, sustainability, and modern development.
- China–UAE Friendship and Cooperation: Illustrate the friendship, cultural exchange, and cooperation between China and the United Arab Emirates.
Competition Timeline
- Registration and Submission: Now until 31 July 2026
- Judging Period: August 2026
- Results Announcement: Early September 2026
Eligibility
The competition is open to non-Chinese students currently residing and studying in the United Arab Emirates.
Competition Categories
Age Groups
- Group A: 5–11 years old
- Group B: 12–18 years old
Artwork Categories
- Chinese Calligraphy (Handwritten)
- Painting (Hand-drawn)
- AI-Generated Digital Art
Awards
Awards will be presented separately for each category based on age group and submission type.
- Grand Prize: 12 winners
(4 winners from each of the three categories within the 12–18 age group)
- First Prize: 18 winners
(3 winners from each of the 6 competition categories)
- Second Prize: 36 winners
(6 winners from each of the 6 competition categories)
- Third Prize: 60 winners
(10 winners from each of the 6 competition categories)
- Merit Award: 100 winners
Submission Requirements
- Each participant may submit up to three artworks.
- Only one artwork per category may be submitted.
- All submitted works must be original and created by the participant.
- Participants submitting AI-generated artworks must also provide the prompt(s) used to create the artwork.
Submission Method
Participants are required to complete the online registration form and upload their artwork through the following link:
Registration Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/KzyGB5mKqd
QR code：
File Naming Format
Please name your artwork file using the following format:
Participant Name + Artwork Title
Example: Ahmed Al Mansoori – My Dream of China
Enquiries
For further information, please contact Oriental Wise Education Institute Abu Dhabi:
Email: mandarin@orientalwisechinese.com
This event is hosted by the China Cultural Center in the UAE and organized by Oriental Wise Education Institute Abu Dhabi. We warmly welcome young artists across the UAE to participate and share their creativity, imagination, and artistic interpretations of China through this exciting cultural competition.
