On September 23, the final of the “Motherland Backing You Up” 2025 Consular Protection Sitcom Competition was held at the National Theatre of China. The event was co-hosted by the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office, Capital Civic Enhancement Committee Office, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and Beijing Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, under the guidance of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Now in its seventh year, the competition has become a flagship event for Beijing’s systematic public education on consular protection. Focusing on the hot topics of overseas safety, this year’s event has drawn wide attention from various sectors since its launch on May 27, with active participation by enterprises, organizations, and individuals both at home and abroad. The entries centered around real-life cases and current issues such as telecom fraud, overseas study safety, and emergency response. During the competition, a series of accompanying activities—including the Consular Protection Lecture, Consular Protection for All, and Consular Protection Training Camp Program—were also organized to enhance participants’ knowledge in consular protection and improve the professional delivery of their sitcom creations.
Interlude Performance by Actors from the National Theatre of China
Homeward Journey in the Rain A Folded Dream of Overseas Study
Red Hackers in Action The Ark
Broken Stardom in the Fraud Park Where the Heart Finds Peace
The competition brought together experts from the China Foreign Affairs University, People’s Public Security University of China, Communication University of China, Central Academy of Drama, National Theatre of China, and overseas security organizations. These experts conducted comprehensive evaluations to better integrate performance art with consular protection knowledge. The finalists presented innovative stagecraft, using transitional scenes to seamlessly connect performances and deliver a captivating show themed on consular protection. The event was streamed live across multiple platforms, attracting 329,000 online viewers and receiving coverage from 40 media outlets.
Comment by Liang Danni, Actress of Beijing People’s Art Theatre
Comment by Zhang Xiaolong, Actor and Professor at the Chinese National Academy of Arts
Comment by Li Ye, Deputy Director of the Art Training Center of the National Theatre of China
Comment by Li Shengli, Professor and Head of the Department of Dramatic Literature, School of Theatre, Film and Television, Communication University of China
Comment by Gao Xiongjie, Professor and Head of the Department of Film & TV Art, Central Academy of Drama
Comment by Xia Liping, Professor, Department of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs Management, China Foreign Affairs University
Comment by Tu Nianfeng, Chairman of Beijing Falcon Terrorism Prevention Technology Promotion Center
Zhang Chenggang, Minister-Counselor of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, remarked that in recent years, the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office has carried out diverse preventive consular protection initiatives, setting a national benchmark. Among these efforts, the Consular Protection Sitcom Competition has become one of Beijing’s flagship programs. Through the engaging format of sitcoms, the competition has deepened public understanding of consular protection and enriched citizens’ knowledge in this area, thereby improving their awareness of overseas safety and self-protection skills. Participants have gained a deeper understanding of the CPC Central Committee’s care for Chinese nationals abroad, and have been reminded that wherever they are, the motherland is always behind them, protecting them. He encouraged the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office to continue harnessing the power of consular protection to safeguard the security and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens overseas.
Remarks by Zhang Chenggang, Minister of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
After the competition, outstanding entries will be featured in a special program on Beijing Radio & Television Station. The aim is to promote consular protection knowledge and bring it closer to the public, thereby better equipping Beijing’s citizens and institutions for overseas risks.
