On April 28th, the launching ceremony of the 2021 Consular Protection Sitcom Competition entitled "Motherland Backing You Up" was held in Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing. More than 200 people attended the ceremony, including relevant officials from units like the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, and People's Government of Xicheng District, as well as the judging panel, Beijing citizens and representatives from all walks of life.

The competition is an important component of the practical activity---"Addressing the Practical Concerns of the Masses""in the study and education of the history of the Communist Party of China, run by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality under the theme "Helping Each Other for Safer Trips". The competition aims to truly fulfill the concept of "Dedication to Serving the People", to meet the eager demands of the general public and overseas compatriots for consular protection knowledge through artistic and inclusive sitcoms, to further enhance the understanding of the public on consular protection, to raise public awareness of overseas security risks, to convey the warmth of the capital, and to pay a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The competition was jointly sponsored by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Office of Beijing Civility Enhancement Committee, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Office of Overseas Chinese Affairs of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality under the guidance of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. The event was held both inside and outside of China via online and offline channels, collecting and encouraging works in diversified forms from compatriots at home and abroad.

Zhang Yang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, said that the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office had actively initiated preventive consular protection publicity activities in various forms, effectively served the country's overall diplomacy, and played a positive role in enhancing the overseas security awareness and capacity of the citizens and institutions in Beijing. He suggested everyone acquire a better understanding of consular protection knowledge and the overseas security situation through this competition, so as to further enhance their overseas risk prevention capacity and consolidate their patriotic enthusiasm.

At the launching ceremony, representatives of the sponsors issued letters of appointment to the experts of the judging panel. Chairman Lyu Jianmin spoke on behalf of the panel. Honorary Chief Director Zhang Jizhong and Judge Gao Shuguang sent their regards to the competition through videos. Experts also hoped that, through the competition, everyone could deepen their understanding of consular protection, and they were looking forward to helping the contestants create more and better works.

The competition shall go through several sections from works collection, evaluation, intensified training, to the final. The majority of the works should be in the form of sitcoms, but other artistic forms like songs, recitations and crosstalk are also accepted. The expert panel is going to selected six sitcoms from the entries to participate in the final, and eventually one first prize, two second prizes, three third prizes and several best organization prizes will be awarded. Other works other than sitcoms that stand out will be awarded special contribution awards. Group or individual contestants are suggested to send the application form and works to the email address below to register for the competition. Send the word "Registration" to the same email address to obtain the application form. Email address: lingshibaohu2016@163.com.