Competition goes wild for nature and science

"What makes this collection even more extraordinary is that all the photographers belong to one remarkable group: people under the age of 18," she notes.

"Their youth, love for nature, and passion for life radiate through their work. While solid foundational skills and continuous improvement define their craftsmanship, what truly sets them apart is their keen observation, rich imagination, and unwavering dedication to the natural world," she adds.

The competition's core mission of making nature documentation accessible to all has found a powerful ally in the ongoing evolution of technology, which is steadily lowering barriers to observation and creation.

Hou Mingjuan, senior vice-president of Qualcomm, highlights how the profound emotional resonance of the winning works is intrinsically linked to the quiet, enabling promise of the tools used to create them.

"Through breathtaking images, we not only see the grandeur of nature, but also feel the quiet, explosive power of life unfolding in the smallest details," Hou says.

She draws on her own experience when she joined a Chinese National Geography expedition to Mount Qomolangma in the Xizang autonomous region, in 2025.

"The thin air, the harsh landscape, the hours of waiting for a shot, all taught me that every image hides untold perseverance," she says.

She emphasizes that Qualcomm's Snapdragon technology is designed to be "the engine for multi-perspective imaging", integrated not just into smartphones but also AI glasses, action cameras and drones, giving creators "freer, more diverse perspectives to reach more unreachable realms".

Looking ahead, Li, with Chinese National Geography, outlines a bold vision for the competition.

"The competition will continuously strengthen its role as a global platform serving creators worldwide," he says.

By leveraging cutting-edge technology, it will empower the aspiration of "making everyone a nature photographer".

"The goal is to encourage more people to become discoverers of knowledge with the spirit of scientific rigor and truth-seeking, while driving the development of a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing publishing, communication, exhibitions, and conservation efforts," Li says.