About

The "Changing Asia" Photo Exhibition is an international photography event organized by China Daily. Following its first overseas launch in Bangkok, Thailand (2022) and a subsequent exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia (2023), the 2024 exhibition transitioned fully online. This digital format removed geographical barriers, attracting over 1,400 submissions from more than 40 countries and regions, and receiving coverage from various regional media outlets. Building on past experience, the 2026 exhibition is scheduled to take place on October 26 at Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, serving as a lead-up to the 2026 APEC Meeting. Submissions will be collected globally through the Asia News Network (ANN) media platform and professional photography websites.

The Theme

The annual theme for this edition is "Moments of Connection: Smiles and Hands of the Asia-Pacific." This theme aligns directly with the official 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting slogan, "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," with a specific focus on cooperation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth. Regarding the creative focus, the exhibition will center on the integration of humanity, economy, society, and nature. It aims to display real-world interactions such as collaboration, trade, mutual assistance, and cultural exchange, using the imagery of "smiles and hands" to represent a shared destiny and inclusive prosperity in the region.. Here’s what we’re looking for:

1. Exploring Asian transformations:

Through your lens, reveal the social, economic, environmental, and cultural shifts that are shaping the continent’s future. From the buzz of megacities to the quiet resilience of rural landscapes, let your images reflect Asia’s modernization, urbanization, and technological strides, without forgetting the legacy of its ancestral roots.

2. Showcasing Asian stories:

Every picture tells a story, and every story is a glimpse into the soul of Asia. We’re seeking images that articulate the tale of Asia — its people, its communities. Share the tales of resilience, of overcoming, of thriving against all odds. Let your photographs be a testament to the courage and hope that define the regional spirit.

3. Emphasizing Asian diversity:

Asia’s beauty lies in its variety. Its regions, cultures, and peoples make it a mosaic of life. We challenge you to document this diversity, to celebrate both the contrasts and the connections. Through your submissions, help the world appreciate the complexities and simplicities of Asia’s transformational journey. Join us on this quest to communicate stories of progress, aspiration and the force of transformation within the Asian region, and be part of an exciting cross-cultural exchange!

What winners receive

Photo Book / Exhibition / award certificate

About the organization

This project is a joint venture of the Asia News Network and China Daily.

About China Daily and ANN

Since its launch in 1981, China Daily has grown to become the nation’s leading English-language newspaper. With a combined print, online and mobile readership of more than 470 million, it serves a vital role in telling the world about China, providing valuable insight into the world’s second-largest economy. Consequently, it is quoted more often by overseas media than any other Chinese publication.

Along with the flagship edition on Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Edition, China Daily publishes an International Edition – covering North and South America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific and Africa – and various digital platforms.

China Daily plays a key role in the Asia News Network (ANN), the leading regional alliance of news titles striving to bring the region closer, through an active sharing of editorial content on happenings in the region.

ANN now includes 20 leading titles, based in major capitals of the region. The network’s members hail from the 10 Southeast Asian economies as well as several other locations in East and South Asia.

How to enter

• All submissions should have been taken from 1st January 2023 until present.
• Each submission should be between one and 10 photos.
• Each photo should be at least 3000px on the long size
• You are requested to provide a description for each submission.
• Basic editing including the use of filter and color enhancements is accepted.
• By submitting your image, you agree that it can be used in all promotional purposes, including but not limited to the photographic exhibition and photography.