Young people from Bangladesh and countries along the historic Maritime Silk Road have been invited to participate in the international creative poster design competition titled “AI World Heritage & Zheng He Legacy,” which aims to promote cultural exchange, world heritage awareness, and the enduring spirit of the famed Chinese navigator Zheng He.
Organized to commemorate the historical legacy of Zheng He and strengthen people-to-people ties among countries connected by the Maritime Silk Road, the competition encourages participants to use artificial intelligence and digital creativity to explore the relationship between world heritage sites and maritime history.
More than 600 years ago, Zheng He, a renowned Chinese explorer from Yunnan Province, led seven historic voyages across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. His journeys passed through the Strait of Malacca, crossed the Indian Ocean, and reached the eastern coast of Africa, facilitating trade, cultural exchange, and friendship among diverse civilizations.
The competition is open to young people from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and other countries. Eligible participants include university students, young designers, cultural and creative professionals, and individuals engaged in heritage conservation and cultural development.
Participants are required to create posters incorporating at least one UNESCO World Heritage element from their own country. For Bangladesh, eligible heritage sites include the Sundarbans and the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur. Designers may also draw inspiration from Zheng He’s voyages and heritage sites in other countries along the Maritime Silk Road.
The organizers encourage the use of AI tools in the creative process, although traditional drawing techniques and design software may also be incorporated. Participants must submit a design statement explaining their creative inspiration, the use of AI technology, and the significance of the selected heritage elements.
The submission period will run from June 6 to July 10, 2026, followed by a judging phase from July 11 to July 25. Winning works will be showcased in online exhibitions in China, while selected offline exhibitions will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Colombo, Sri Lanka.
A professional jury comprising heritage experts, cultural institution leaders, university scholars, and media representatives will evaluate entries based on cultural authenticity, artistic expression, technical quality, and communication effectiveness.
The competition offers attractive prizes, including a First Prize of RMB 3,000, three Second Prizes of RMB 1,000 each, five Third Prizes of RMB 500 each, and twenty Excellence Awards. Winners will receive certificates, while Excellence Award-winning works will be featured in offline exhibitions.
Participation is free of charge, and there is no limit on the number of submissions. Entries must be submitted digitally in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format and sent to the official email address chinanewsyn@163.com.
Organizers expressed hope that the initiative will strengthen cultural dialogue among nations, enhance appreciation of world heritage, and inspire young people to use innovative technologies to tell stories of shared history and friendship across borders.
