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Photo Contest: Beijing in the Eyes of Foreigners Begins

      In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is joining with government departments to host “Beijing in the Eyes of Foreigners,” a photo contest featuring the work of foreign photographers working in China or other parts of the world, from March to July 2009.

      This event was organized by the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal People’s Government, Information Office of Beijing Municipal People’s Government, Beijing Municipal Commission of Education and Beijing Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment.

      The theme of the contest is “The New Face of Beijing.” It aims to give people from outside China an opportunity to better understand Beijing, its charms and, in particular, its changes. The Organizing Committee will accept submissions of photographic work exploring the “new” aspects of Beijing in everything from travel and recreation, to life and work in Beijing. All foreigners who have lived or travelled in Beijing are welcome to enter the contest.

      In May 2009, the Organizing Committee organized the photographers and ambassadors from more than 20 foreign countries, foreign teachers and students from the university to visit the headquarters of the Army and Navy of the Qing Dynasty, Prince Fu’s Mansion, the Confucian Temple, Imperial College, Nanluoguxiang and some residential communities.

      The old buildings in the former site of the Duan Qirui Government and Prince Fu's Mansion thrilled the visitors. They were also moved by the residents’ lives in the community, especially the disabled and old people.

Jurgen Frenz is a teacher of Beijing Film Academy. He said it was a pity that he missed the trip to the headquarters of the Army and Navy of the Qing Dynasty, as he visited the Prince Fu’s Mansion on May 16 during this photo contest event. The visit to Prince Fu’s Mansion was his first opportunity to participate. Frenz said he’s lived in Beijing for about two years; he likes to tour Beijing's many cultural sites and to observe the people’s lives in the city. Walking along Nanluoguxiang, he said he can see changes that are taking place along this street he knows very well. He said he will enter the contest.

      Franz-J. Cremers is the chairman of Germany-China Friendship Association, but on this trip, he was a photographer. In 1989, he visited Zhuhai, his first visit to China. Since then, over 30 years, he has visited China more than 40 times, especially Beijing, which he visits nearly every year. He learned of the photo contest from a local newspaper, The New China, in Cologne.

      Smiling, he said he came to Beijing this time not for sending photographs but for old pictures. When he came to Beijing in 1994, he lived in the Beijing Friendship Hotel. At that time there weren’t many restaurants around the hotel, not to mention cars or shopping centres. When night came, the street was dark. Most of the residents were clad in drab blue or gray clothing.

      But Beijing has changed rapidly over the past 15 years. He said people smile more and are much friendlier and willing to engage in direct communication.

Barbel Schmitt is a professional German photographer who Franz-J. Cremers invited to come to this photo contest. She was excited to be on her first visit to Beijing. She was amazed by the architectural wonders of the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven.

      “I’d like to stay in one of the two places for two or three days but not one day for two of them. The 10-day stay in Beijing is far from enough for me,” said Schmitt.

      Every day of her trip, she got up 7 a.m. and would not return to her hotel until after 10 in the evening. Then she edited photos until about midnight. But she said she never felt tired. She loves Beijing’s hutong, shopping centres, children and the countryside. What she saw in these days was completely different from what she had learned before she came to China. In some schools, she said she was impressed by the students who use computers for study, but they still learn the traditional calligraphy.

      She said she really admired people's lives in the community. She said Beijing is big, but the communities are close, and people live together closely. She said she would like to live in Beijing if given the chance.

      Do Tien Dinh, a senior director and “People’s Artist of Vietnam” said he was very involved in his daily routine during his visit. He came to China to participate in the contest on behalf of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations.

      He said he was glad to have the privilege of taking photos in Beijing, as there are many good photographers in his country.

      During the four days in Beijing, he has captured more than 1,000 pictures including the old and modern buildings, and he said Beijing has taught him much.

      Do said the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven are as beautiful as when he came to Beijing 40 years ago. The people are friendly as ever. But Beijing has changed a lot. He was impressed by the huge, ultramodern National Stadium and the many other modern buildings in Beijing that glimmered under a deep blue sky.

      In the countryside, he saw many of the technological advances being used in Beijing’s agricultural areas.

      In some schools, he saw some traditional houses like some small museums that are used in teaching students; he said he liked these schools very much.

      In short, he said he loves Beijing’s mixture of the modern and traditional.

      Tran Thi Hong Anh, another Vietnamese photographer, once studied in Xiamen and visited many places in China while in school. She said she loves Beijing the most, especially aspects of old Beijing, including the residents’ lives and customs.

      She said the people here are very warm and friendly. She said Beijing’s streets are now much cleaner than before, especially since the Olympic Games.