The UK-China International Photography Competition, run by the University’s Manchester China Institute, Creative Manchester and The School of Arts, Languages and Cultures is back for the fifth consecutive year. 

The project promotes mutual understanding in UK-China relations, using photography as a means to reveal our common humanity. The competition is a terrific example of how creative expression can be the bridge between building mutual understanding and empathy between different cultures. By engaging with both local and international communities in Manchester through the medium of art, we can champion different cultures, whilst highlighting our shared commonalities. The contest is open to anyone resident in either the UK or China, and we are encouraging entries from all age ranges and groups to enter to provide a reflection of an overall snapshot of different cultures.

This year’s theme of “Family Treasures” (“传家宝”) will hopefully unearth some beautiful stories as it encourages participants to share their “treasure” with the world. The subjective notion of treasure could mean anything, from a special object with personal significance to something unique in your house, passed through the generations, or even a valuable skill or talent that you have learnt from an ancestor.

The competition launches on 24 February 2023 and runs until 12 April 2023, with the top 30 entries to be exhibited at a gallery space in Manchester for the month of May. While the UK and China winners will be announced at the opening ceremony, there will also be an ongoing vote for the People’s Choice Award, with the winning entry announced at the culmination of the exhibition.

There are two prizes of £1,000 (Best UK/China entry), and an additional prize of £500 (People’s Choice) available, as well as runners-up prizes and a new Under 16s category prize. Entrants should submit their photographs by email to competitions.mci@manchester.ac.ukwith the subject line “Family Treasures”.

• To find out more about the competition and full rules, please head to the photography competition web page.