At the competition's launch on May 22, Goodall emphasized in her video speech that "images can sometimes tell a story more powerfully than words" and expressed her hope that more people would become involved in this vital cause.

This edition features 14 categories with 27 awards, including the new "Jane Goodall Youth Award" and "New Discoveries Prize" to empower more creators to "protect nature through lenses," says Li Shuanke, publisher and editor-in-chief of Chinese National Geography.

"Looking back, the first five years of the competition marked a significant milestone. By establishing annual special awards, we have successfully attracted public attention to themes such as China's National Parks, China's Endemic Species, and Human and Nature. These themes reflect the competition's original intention of guiding creative trends in the natural imagery industry," Li says.

This year's theme also revolves around Beyond Horizon, which calls for a renewed focus on the familiar yet often overlooked corners of the natural world to showcase the vibrant force of life presented in the most unexpected places.

"Whether your aspirations lie in far-off lands or the depths of the ocean, Beyond Horizon offers a coordinate, a possibility," Li says.

Xi Zhinong, a respected Chinese wildlife photographer and member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, considers Beyond Horizon "a puzzle that nature has left for us to solve".

"These uncharted territories not only deepen our understanding of biodiversity but also serve as a constant reminder that the mysteries of nature far exceed our imagination," he says.

"As nature photographers, it is our mission to get closer to that mystery, to embark on journeys into areas that have yet to be fully explored. Each time we step into these unknown territories, it feels like a conversation with the unseen," he adds.