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Nepal's Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizen Tham Maya Thapa (3rd L) and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi (1st R) present prizes to two winners during the awarding ceremony of a painting competition with the theme of "China in My Mind", in Kathmandu, Nepal, Aug. 8, 2019. More than 2,600 students in Nepal participated in the competition organized by the Chinese embassy in Nepal and the Nepal-China Cultural and Educational Council. (Photo by Sunil Sharma/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Around 2,600 Nepali students from 126 schools participated in the second edition of "China in my mind" painting competition organized in Nepal this year.

A special function was held in the capital city on Thursday to award the winners of the competition amid the presence of Nepali Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen Tham Maya Thapa and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi.

Altogether 61 students were awarded in the competition organized by the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and implemented by the Nepal-China Culture and Educational Council.

Addressing the function, the Nepali minister said that such events are important for Nepali students to learn and understand about the Chinese history and culture, and will contribute in their future.

"I would like to thank the Chinese Embassy in Nepal for organizing this event which will help our students in their capacity building and will lead to a bright future," Thapa said.

The Chinese ambassador said that such cultural exchanges are instrumental for promoting China-Nepal friendship. She also expressed hope that that the new generation of both countries will know and learn each other better through such programs.

"It is not just about students' painting, but this reflects love towards the Sino-Nepal friendship," Hou said.

"I am very happy, it's a pleasure to win this competition. My painting was about the Chinese and Nepali people making calligraphy together," a 9th grader winner Shakya told Xinhua.

Saying she loves the Chinese culture the most, 14-year-old Shakya shared her excitement of being able to visit China soon as a winner.

On the occasion, the students also performed spectacular dragon dance, cultural dance and kung fu among others.