China International Communications Group unveils shortlist for third Orchid Awards

The shortlist for the third Orchid Awards is unveiled at a press conference held in Beijing, Sept. 4, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

China International Communications Group (CICG) unveiled the shortlist for the third Orchid Awards at a press conference in Beijing on Sept. 4, with 30 candidates from 24 countries across five continents advancing to the final evaluation.

Established by CICG in 2022, the Orchid Awards are a major international cultural award program recognizing foreign individuals and organizations that are committed to promoting international exchange of Chinese culture and have made outstanding contributions to advancing exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Based on candidates' achievements, contributions and international influence, the awards are presented in three categories: the Lifetime Honorary Award, the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Friendship Envoy Award.

Liu Shuangyan, deputy secretary-general of the Orchid Awards Secretariat, told the press conference that the third edition has drawn wide attention in China and abroad.

Since the global call for nominations opened on April 15, 2026, the awards have received 317 nominations from 82 countries, seven more countries than in the previous edition.

Compared with the first two editions, the third has attracted a more diverse international pool of candidates with stronger records of achievement and contribution and greater overall influence, Liu said.

Zhang Jinting, secretary-general of the Orchid Awards Secretariat, announced the 30 shortlisted candidates, who come from 24 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and Oceania.

The candidates' professional backgrounds are more varied than in previous years. While past nominees were primarily drawn from Sinology, translation, art, film and television, communication, diplomacy and international cultural exchange, this year's shortlist expands into literature, sports, science, cultural heritage preservation and fine arts.

Three are in the running for the Lifetime Honorary Award, nine for the Outstanding Achievement Award and 18 for the Friendship Envoy Award.

The Third Orchid Awards Expert Committee comprises 23 members, including one chair, three deputy chairs and one secretary-general, along with nine Chinese and nine international expert members, according to Zhou Shuchun, deputy chair of the committee.

The experts work in fields including translation, education, literature, arts, film and television, media and publishing. The international members come from nine countries: Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Thailand, India, Mali, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.

Franco Amadei, a former cultural counselor at the Italian Embassy in China who has served as an international expert on the committee for all three editions, said the candidate selection mechanism and the rules and procedures of the final evaluation ensure the awards' fairness and impartiality.

"The entire evaluation process is an extensive, in-depth and candid exchange of ideas," Amadei said.

Yoro Diallo, director of the African Museum at Zhejiang Normal University and executive director of the Center for Francophone African Country Studies, said the Orchid Awards have attracted growing attention and participation in Africa as an important platform for advancing the Global Civilization Initiative.

"It is very encouraging to see candidates from Mali, Cameroon and Nigeria among this year's shortlisted candidates," Diallo said. He expressed hope that the eventual award winners would demonstrate their commitment to advancing the Global Civilization Initiative and to creating a better life for people.

Over the first two editions, the Orchid Awards honored 19 foreign individuals and one organization for their contributions to international cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

The awards' growing recognition is also reflected in China's policy framework. In July 2025, the Orchid Awards selection process was formally included in the Action Plan of the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting. In March 2026, carrying out "Orchid Awards" brand activities was incorporated into the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development.