An annual event to help overseas students have closer look at China was launched in Beijing on July 12.

Looking China: Youth Film Project, organized by the Academy for International Communication of Chinese Culture at Beijing Normal University, invited students from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, New Zealand, France and Thailand to a 17-day shooting in the Chinese capital. Each will make a 10-minute film of cultural exploration.

The Beijing event is part of a nationwide project, which includes 101 overseas film students from 36 colleges in 25 countries, to make their productions in 13 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China.

Founded in 2011, Looking China has become an important platform for cross-border communication among college students. When President Xi Jinping visited Singapore last year, he mentioned the project in his speech for its significance promoting intercultural communication.