China continues to develop its relations with South East Asia through international youth event held in Wuhan, Hubei province, while giving young people a voice, Gui Qian and Liu Kun report.

Youth representatives visit the Qingjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, in Yidu, Hubei province, on July 4. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

With the theme of "Together for a Better Home", the 9th ASEAN-China Young Leaders Exchange Festival took place in Wuhan, Hubei province, from July 4 to 6.

Young people from 10 member countries of the ASEAN met at the event and delivered speeches about their thoughts and visions of the ASEAN-China relationship. Gala dinners at the event featured unique dances and music from ASEAN member countries. Participants also had trips around Hubei, during which they experienced local customs and cultures.

I urge everyone here to share what you have seen and learned over the past few days with your friends and family back home. This cultural exchange has been nothing but enriching and fruitful. Many special memories were made that I will hold close to my heart.

Xiong Jingwen, Singaporean student at Wuhan University, Hubei

This year marks the 10th anniversary after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the building of an even closer China-ASEAN community of common destiny, as well as the 20th anniversary of China joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and The China-ASEAN Association, the exchange festival aims to promote friendship and communication between Chinese and ASEAN youth and deepen mutual understanding and cooperation, according to the hosts.

"President Xi Jinping said that young people are like saplings that thrive in the earth, and one day they will grow into towering trees," said Yuan Mindao, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. "At this event, our young friends expressed their feelings and willingness to work together to build our beautiful homelands. I hope this trip is not only a journey of friendship but also a journey of development and harvest."

Xiong Jingwen, an international student from Singapore who is currently studying at Wuhan University, described her experience of the festival "nothing but joyous".

She recalled the young delegation team's trips from Yichang to Wuhan, during which they traveled the groundbreaking Three Gorges Dam, enjoyed the picturesque scenery looking out from the Yellow Crane Tower and visited a tea manufacturing company and a pharmaceutical factory that uses traditional Chinese herbs.

"I have gained a much deeper understanding of Chinese culture and learned more about China's development in economic, scientific and technological sectors," said Xiong. "I urge everyone here to share what you have seen and learned over the past few days with your friends and family back home. This cultural exchange has been nothing but enriching and fruitful. Many special memories were made that I will hold close to my heart."

Young people from China and ASEAN member countries take trips around Hubei, during which they experience local customs and cultures. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The emotions were echoed by Melani from Indonesia, who has been studying at Central China Normal University since 2020. She said she has not only experienced a lot at the event but also noticed the importance of educational exchanges during her past three years studying in China.

"From 2009, the number of international students in China has more than doubled. The latest statistics showed that 15,050 Indonesian students studied in China in 2018," she said. "And the number of students in China from ASEAN member countries is increasing along with bilateral trade. Most students from ASEAN countries return to their own countries and play an active role in promoting mutual understanding and bilateral trade."

One of these students is Lee Wen from Malaysia. As the president of the Association of Malaysia Students in Hubei, she has been working as a bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between youth in both countries by sharing cultures, values and experiences.

Young people from China and ASEAN member countries take trips around Hubei, during which they experience local customs and cultures. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

In her speech, Lee looked back at the relationships between China and Malaysia as well as the future directions the ASEAN countries are heading toward. She introduced the trade cooperation between China and Malaysia, dating back to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) through the Silk Road, as well as how China has become one of Malaysia's most important trading partners and one of the major sources of investment for Malaysian business today.

"The friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and China is an important guarantee of peace and prosperity between the countries," she said.

For global challenges such as climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development, Lee urged global cooperation and emphasized the vitality and creativity of the young generation.

"We should contribute our efforts as we are the leaders and decision-makers of our countries in the future," she added.

Phone Htet Aung, a youth representative of Myanmar, saw China as a good example in dealing with global issues. "We are deeply impressed by the remarkable progress and development China has achieved in science, technology and socio-economic spheres. As a prominent global player, China actively assumes a responsible role in international affairs. China's success stories and practices have inspired us and serve as an exemplary model for us to emulate," he said.

Young people from China and ASEAN member countries take trips around Hubei, during which they experience local customs and cultures. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Phone also talked about the principles that the cordial relations between China and ASEAN countries are built upon — mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and shared development. These are also principles followed by young people of different countries when they interact with each other.

Chinese student representative Zhang Hanyu, from Central China Normal University, resonates with this thought. After she entered the university, she joined a student society called Association for Intercultural Communication. She has met friends from across the world, tasted the unique cuisines and experienced the traditions of their countries. She has also interviewed them about their observations of today's Chinese society.

What moved Zhang most was that during the COVID-19 outbreak in the winter of 2020 in Wuhan, many of her international friends posted online videos to clarify the defamation of China by some overseas media. "They live in China and know the real China. They tell the world their Chinese stories, and in the meantime introduce their own countries and cultures to Chinese people. In this way, they enhance mutual understanding and friendship."

The efforts made by both Chinese young people and those from ASEAN member countries are also recognized by Raul L.Lambino, chairman and secretary of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding.

"The youth of China and the ASEAN countries possess a unique advantage — a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and a wealth of collective heritage," he said. "The ASEAN-China Young Leaders Exchange Festival is a testament to our collective belief in the power of youth to shape the destiny of our nations."

He emphasized, "By empowering our youth, investing in their education and providing opportunities for their growth, we can build a prosperous and inclusive future."

Contact the writers at guiqian@i21st.cn