International Cartoon and Illustration Exhibition 2026 on a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity Call for Entries

Sharing, an innate fine quality of humanity, serves as the foundation for the inheritance of civilization and a bond for emotional connection. More importantly, it offers a viable solution to global challenges. Sharing merges individual wisdom into collective strength and turns localized experiences into shared wealth. Through exchanges transcending race, culture and geography, it highlights the inherent interconnectedness of all humankind.

At present, the world is confronting intertwined and complex challenges, including unbalanced development, civilizational estrangement, climate crises and the digital divide. More than ever before, humanity needs to rise above prejudices, bridge differences, and forge consensus through exchange and mutual learning. To build a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and uphold the global governance philosophy of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, all countries are called upon to break free from the barriers of zero-sum games. By sharing development opportunities, shouldering contemporary responsibilities and working together for a promising future, we can achieve sustainable development for all humanity.

Building on the success of its four previous sessions, China Daily, together with relevant institutions, is launching the 2026 International Cartoon and Illustration Exhibition on a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity. Centered on the theme of "Sharing", this event adopts the unique artistic form of cartoons and illustrations to raise global public awareness and reflection on advancing the vision of building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity.

Through this exhibition, we aim to leverage the distinctive visual expressions of artists and art enthusiasts across the globe to interpret the profound implications of sharing as a practical path and a key value. It strives to build a bridge for international cultural exchanges, facilitate cross-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding, deepen public recognition of the vision of a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, and unite global consensus and strength for pursuing development through sharing and shaping the future with inclusiveness.

I. Organizing institutions

Organizer: China Daily

Co-organizer: Bank of China, Beijing Branch

Special Support Partners: China Journalistic Caricature Society, "Times' Palette" Art Academy Alliance

Executive Organizers: China Daily Website, Times' Palette Studio, Newscartoon Website

Partners: Shenzhen Illustration Association, Chinaserivcesinfo.com

II. Exhibition focus

The theme of this year's exhibition is "Sharing".

Potential topics include:

1. Sharing blue skies and clear waters to protect our common home

2. Sharing cultures and arts to deepen mutual understanding

3. Sharing technological achievements for benefit of all

4. Sharing joys and soothing sorrows with kindness

5. Sharing food, knowledge, stories and songs to connect hearts

6. Other relevant topics

III. Submission groups

1. Adult Group (18 years and above)

2. Youth Group (Under 18)

IV. Target participants

Cartoonists, illustrators and art enthusiasts from all over the world are welcome to participate.

V. Timeline of the event

Work Submission: By August 15, 2026

Review and Assessment: August to September 2026

Awards Ceremony: Between September and October 2026

VI: Awards

Adult Group

Gold Prize: 1 winner

¥30,000 CNY (before tax), a certificate and a portfolio book.

Silver Prize: 2 winners

¥20,000 CNY (before tax), a certificate and a portfolio book.

Bronze Prize: 3 winners

¥10,000 CNY (before tax), a certificate and a portfolio book.

Outstanding Prize: 10 winners

A certificate and a portfolio book.

Excellence Prize: 100 winners

A certificate and a portfolio book.

Youth Group

Outstanding Prize: 100 winners

A certificate and a digital portfolio book.

VII: Requirements for submission

1. The submitted works must be original. Plagiarism or replication of others' works is not allowed.

2. All art styles are welcome. Cartoons, illustrations and other painting styles are all accepted.

3. The works should be submitted in JPG format, with a resolution of 300dpi, file size at least 2M (with the longest side measuring at least 3000 pixels), and not exceeding 10M.

4. Single pieces of artwork or series of works will be accepted, but each participant can upload no more than 20 pieces.

5. The submitted works should include a title and a brief textual description.

6. For AI-assisted works, please label as "AI-generated" during submission.

7. Participants should provide their contact information, including email address and phone number, when submitting works.

8. Youth Group participants and college students in the Adult Group should additionally provide their school name and grade year. The names of their instructors or training institutions are optional.

VIII: Submission method

Register and upload your submission on the website: https://artcontest.chinadaily.com.cn/2026.html

IX: Contact us

Email: competition@chinadaily.com.cn (for inquiries, not for submissions).

X. Call for IP Image Designs

Artists and designers worldwide are invited to create an official IP image for the International Cartoon and Illustration Exhibition on a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity.

Design entries shall be submitted online and include three views of the IP image (front, side and back), along with a design statement covering the IP nickname, features, personality, design philosophy and other relevant information. Creators of the final selected works will be awarded an official certificate of honor.

XI. Additional provisions

1. Submitted works must comply with all applicable laws, regulations and ethical standards.

2. Participating artists retain the copyright of their works. Participants should be fully responsible for their entries. Works submitted shall not infringe upon intellectual property rights or other legal interests of any third party. If a work incorporates third-party materials, the participant is solely responsible for obtaining the necessary permissions or licenses. Group or individual participants must hold full ownership and copyright of all materials used in their works. Any instance of plagiarism or copyright infringement will lead to immediate disqualification, with the submitter assuming complete legal responsibility and shall indemnify the organizers from any resulting losses.

3. By submitting entries, contributors shall be deemed to expressly agree that if their works are shortlisted as outstanding works or award-winning works, they shall grant the organizer royalty-free rights of exhibition, reproduction, distribution, publication and information network communication of the works. The organizer may use the works for online and offline exhibitions, printed and electronic publications, display on platforms operated by China Daily (including but not limited to print media, websites, mobile clients, domestic and overseas social media accounts), and the production of art albums, among other purposes.

4. By submitting a work, the participant is deemed to have explicitly agreed to grant exhibition organizers royalty-free rights to use the work for event-related promotional purposes. This includes but is not limited to digital displays across web and mobile platforms, new media products (such as highlight reels featuring selected works), and dissemination through WeChat official accounts.

5. By submitting a work, the participant is deemed to have explicitly agreed that if the work is selected as an outstanding or award-winning piece, the event sponsors, with the organizers' authorization, may use the work royalty-free for exhibition and publication.

6. China Daily, as the event organizer, has priority in obtaining profit-making operating rights of the exhibited works. Subject to mutual agreements with artists, China Daily may independently conduct commercial exploitation of the exhibited works, authorize a third party or in joint partnership with a third party to do so.

7. China Daily reserves the exclusive right to interpret the above provisions.