How has China changed you? Answer this question well and you could win a 5-night stay at InterContinental Beijing Beichen in a contest organised by Global Times.

The paper announced on its Facebook page at the weekend that readers can answer the question using a format they choose such as a short essay (150-250 words), a video, or a photo. After completing the answer, you can post it on the Facebook page or send it to [email protected] before 6pm (Beijing time) on Wednesday, January 22.

The winner will be decided by public vote at this page.

The poster advertising the competition.

If you really want to win, bear in mind that the paper is edited by the ultra-conservative Hu Xijin so the first person who responded on Facebook is unlikely to be much of a contender.

Here are the FAQs as set out by the paper:

How can I vote?
We’ll post each entry to the voting page linked to above, and voting will start at 10am (Beijing time) on Monday, January 13. Each individual may vote only once. Our system will recognize duplicated votes; any voter caught attempting to vote more than once will have their votes excluded from the final totals.

What can I win, and how are the winners selected?
The entrant who receives the most votes will win five vouchers, each for a one-night stay at the InterContinental Beijing Beichen. The 30 entrants with the most votes, including the overall winner, will each receive a Global Times T-shirt. The best entries, as decided by the Global Times editors, will also be published in the Global Times.

How will winners be announced and prizes distributed?
The names of all winners will be announced on the Global Times Facebook page at around 10am-noon (Beijing time) on Monday, January 27. Prizes will be delivered by mail. Winners must provide a valid mailing address in order for Global Times to guarantee delivery of prizes. If a prize winner cannot be reached by Global Times within seven days of the results being announced, that prize winner shall forfeit the right to claim their prize, and the Global Times reserves the right to choose another winner in their place.

If this author were to answer the question, I would say:

Living in China has made me more cultured, more patient, and more broad-minded. Considering the amount of attention that is directed at foreigners, it also made me more exhibitionistic. However, I like to think that it didn’t make me so exhibitionistic that I will write one of those infernal “Why I’m leaving China” posts when I eventually go.