Chongqing - The awards ceremony for the "Eagle City: Sino-US Youth Bird-Friendly City Innovation Contest" took place in the Jiangbei District. Distinguished guests from the government, association, and enterprise celebrated the innovative achievements of Chinese and American youth in ecological conservation and presented awards to the winners.
The awards ceremony for the "Eagle City: Sino-US Youth Bird-Friendly City Innovation Contest". (Photo/The Organizer)
The ceremony opened with a vibrant dragon dance by Chongqing's "Land-Sea International Dragon Dance Team," composed of international students. ZHANG Qiong, Deputy Director-General of the Publicity Department of CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, highlighted how the competition bridged Chongqing and Los Angeles: "This creative event connected youth across continents, dissolving cultural differences through dialogue and uniting us in a shared mission. Such cross-border connections exemplify the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind."
The ceremony opened with a vibrant dragon dance by Chongqing’s "Land-Sea International Dragon Dance Team," composed of international students. (Photo/The Organizer)
Jorge Herrera Avila, San Gabriel City Councilmember, sent a video message, congratulating the organizers and urging deeper youth exchanges to strengthen friendship between the two cities.
This contest created a platform for cultural and ecological exchange. Over 50 schools from both countries participated, including Chongqing No.1 Secondary School, Chongqing Nankai Secondary School, Bashu Secondary School, Irvine High School, and Woodside Priory School.
Divided into primary and secondary school categories, submissions spanned paintings, videos, and installations. Since its March 2025 launch, the competition has drawn over 5,000 participants and received 3,000 entries. After rigorous judging, 97 works from Chongqing and 50 from Los Angeles won awards, showcasing youth-led ecological innovation.
The Exhibition of the "Eagle City: Sino-US Youth Bird-Friendly City Innovation Contest". (Photo/The Organizer)
ZHAO Yifan, a Grade 11 student from Chongqing Nankai Secondary School and winner of the video category's top prize, shared: "This competition transformed how my teammates and I view birds—from indifference to fascination. Our passion has not only enriched our lives but also forged friendships with bird lovers across the ocean."
The awards ceremony for the "Eagle City: Sino-US Youth Bird-Friendly City Innovation Contest". (Photo/The Organizer)
CHEN Can, Deputy Secretary-General of the Luhai International Communication Foundation, noted: "When Chongqing's mountains meet California's sunshine, and migratory birds connect continents, we witness ecological harmony in action—a testament to our shared future."
"Eagle City" will continue to advance Sino-US youth cultural exchanges, explore global ecological solutions, and promote equality, mutual learning, and inclusiveness. As CHEN stated, the project aims to "let the flower of civilization bloom vibrantly in the fertile ground of ecological protection."