The 2016 "Beautiful Beijing in the Eyes of Foreign Friends” photographic cultural activity, jointly sponsored by the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Beijing Municipal People's Government Foreign Affairs Office, the Beijing Municipal People's Government Information Office, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Beijing Association of Foreign Investment Enterprises, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts, and the China World Peace Foundation, was held for the six month period between April and December 2016. The purpose of this event was to leave our foreign friends with a deeper impression and understanding of Beijing through snapshots of their experience, especially of the achievements, impressions, and improvements that have arisen since the  “Four Comprehensives” were announced during the 18^th National Congress. After half a year of preparations, gathering together entries, and a painstaking selection process, the activity has at last wrapped up. This year’s photography competition theme, “Beautiful Beijing in the Eyes of Foreign Friends,” was well received by many expat amateur photographers, generating wide interest and participation – in total 3665 entries from participants representing 77 different countries were received. The entries were on a range of different themes, aiming the lens at a cityscape both ancient and modern, a Beijing constantly evolving and flourishing, a Beijing full of innovative spirit and enterprising tenacity. From the thousands of entries 300 were shortlisted, and in the end the public judged there to be two first prizes, 4 second prizes, 8 third prizes and 36 "awards of excellence." On the 15^th of December, the award ceremony for “Beautiful Beijing in the Eyes of Foreign Friends” was held at the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Deputy Department Head of the Beijing Media and Communications Department YAN Liqiang was joined by leaders from the sponsorship team, representatives of the entrant’s embassies, and guests from Beijing’s expat and local communities. The executive vice President of the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries TIAN Yan also attended to present the awards. The organising committee set up an exhibition of the outstanding entries to be run during the proceedings, and organised a reception for the Beijing-Foreigner Exchange Association as an opportunity for the locals and foreign guests to get to know each other. [Photograph of the award ceremony proceedings (fourth from the left is JIN Zhixian)] JIN Zhixian, exchange student from Korea who studied at the RUC School of Journalism in 2015 received third prize, JIN’s entry was taken in Liyuan studio in Beijing’s Huairou district. It utilises a unique perspective to reveal the charm evident in this artwork – it portrays a bustling scene with many characters, that is yet a natural revelation of ease and comfort. [ JIN Zhixian’s artwork] [JIN's prize certificate] In addition, Byambasuren Uranzaya, a Mongolian exchange student who studied at the RUC School of Law in 2016 had the honour of taking out an award of excellence. Uranzaya’s prize winning work was of a humble parcel delivery man, simple in composition but containing relevance to people throughout society, rich and humane yet unpretentious. [Uranzaya’s artwork] [Uranzaya’s prize certificate] The aim of this photographic cultural activity was to foster a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of China in visitors to China, and it is hoped that in the future more of RUC's international students will showcase their artistic talents by taking part in this kind of activity! Partially sourced from: 中国网