Young minds from diverse corners converge to unveil China's narrative in 2023, laying the groundwork for a promising 2024 and beyond, Meng Wenjie reports.

Young people from seven countries gathered in the latest episode of Youth Power, which aired on Dec 30, to discuss their reflections on 2023 and expectations for the new year. (DONG MING / FOR CHINA DAILY)

When reflecting on the year 2023, what comes to your mind?

In the latest episode of the China Daily Youth Power series, titled "Timeless Tales from China", aired on Dec 30, eight young people from France, Germany, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, the United States and Cape Verde shared their stories. Some of them had recently arrived in China for further studies, while others held a deep passion for the country. Throughout the program, they recounted their experiences in China during 2023 and extended a warm and hopeful welcome to 2024.

I really appreciate how much effort China has put into engaging in open dialogue on the global stage.

Susan St. Denis, a US student

Susan St. Denis, a US student at Tsinghua University, chose the word "potential" to summarize the year 2023. She highlighted the important discussions between the leaders of China and the US during the China-US summit meeting and the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

"I think with these conversations, we see the potential for collaboration between our two countries. We can really accomplish many wonderful things when we work together," she said.

Denis has a personal connection to China through her father, a law professor in the country in the 1980s and 1990s. Having grown up with many Chinese friends, she was inspired to follow her father's footsteps to come to China.

She observed the increasing availability of flights between the US and China during her time here. "Previously, there were not many flights between the two countries. I had to fly through Dubai if I wanted to come to China for school," she said.

With the recent increase in flights, she acknowledged excitedly that many of her friends and family members in the US have expressed an interest in visiting China to learn more about the country.

Denis also recognized that as China has risen as a leading power, there have been significant changes in the global perception of the country.

"China is facing a lot more pressure on the global stage," she said. "I really appreciate how much effort China has put into engaging in open dialogue on the global stage. It shows China's desire for neutral and respectable communication."

Maybe developing countries can learn a lot from China, like tackling climate change and pursuing sustainability.

Yusrin Zata Lini, an Indonesian student

Yusrin Zata Lini, an Indonesian student at Tsinghua University, echoed Denis's sentiments about China's receptiveness to other countries and cultures. "Maybe developing countries can learn a lot from China, like tackling climate change and pursuing sustainability," she said.

Lini's initial exposure to China was in 2019 for a brief three-day visit, which left a profound impression on her. After being awarded a scholarship by the Indonesian government in 2022, she promptly chose to pursue further studies in China.

To sum up 2023, Lini selected the word "sustainable", emphasizing the significant ties between China and Indonesia. "Indonesia is one of the major countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and a lot of infrastructure projects are underway between China and Indonesia," she said.

Lini also expressed her hope for continued and enhanced sustainability in the future for the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, extending beyond just government-to-government relations to include people-to-people connections. "Many of my friends in Indonesia listen to Chinese music and watch Chinese dramas, which are very popular in my country," she added.

Nafees Nawaz, a Pakistani student pursuing a degree in educational psychology at Beijing Language and Culture University, chose "era of new friendship" as his keyword for 2023.

"The relationship of Pakistan with China has been very strong for decades, with extensive collaboration in technology, agriculture, and education. Additionally, there has been a growing number of intermarriages between people from the two countries. So, I think this is a new era of our friendship," he explained.

Having lived in China for eight years, Nawaz is currently focusing on the study of oracle bone script, an ancient form of Chinese writing found on bones and tortoise shells from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC).

With eight years of experience in Chinese language and culture, Nawaz aspires to become a Chinese language teacher in the future. "Teaching Chinese is much more than just a language. You need to broaden the culture to your students," he said. "When I have the opportunity, I will take part in some Pakistani cultural activities where I can introduce Chinese people to Pakistani culture."

Ivan Sa Nogueira, hailing from Cape Verde, pursued his master's degree in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages at Beijing Language and Culture University. He selected the word "friendship" to characterize the year 2023.

"I think the relationship between the two governments of China and Cape Verde is always associated with 'friendship', and I believe that this is the way the two countries develop together for international relationships," he said.

According to Nogueira, China not only provided essential medicines to Cape Verde during the COVID-19 pandemic but also played a crucial role in the construction of a new campus for the University of Cape Verde, now the largest university in the country. Beyond infrastructure development, China also contributed to the establishment of the first Cape Verde Confucius Institute.

I believe that Chinese people truly appreciate Russian culture, and we Russians also have a fondness for Chinese culture.

Anna Yuschenko, a Russian student

"I got the chance to teach Chinese there at that time. In the past, most of us foreigners believed it might be impossible but now it is quite possible," Nogueira said.

"There's a Chinese saying, 'You should adhere to your original aspiration'. It signifies that one should not forget their origins," he added. "So my perspective for the new year is to engage in business in China to connect China and my country in this way and to endeavor to improve the economy of Cape Verde."

Anna Yuschenko, a Russian student at Tsinghua University, selected the phrase "partners & relatives" for 2023. "I believe that Chinese people truly appreciate Russian culture, and we Russians also have a fondness for Chinese culture. We just support each other," she said. "I feel like we're not just friends. We're like relatives."

Yuschenko also recalled some online videos depicting the China-Russia border. In these videos, thanks to the visa-free policy, many Russian residents are seen enjoying breakfast and indulging in steamed buns with beer in the morning market at Chinese border city Heihe in Heilongjiang province. "Now, you don't need a visa to travel in Russia, and Russians don't need a visa to travel in China for two weeks, which I think is really convenient," she said. "We are like a family from two neighboring countries."

At the conclusion of the program, the young guests also selected their keywords for the new year of 2024. The chosen words and phrases included "inclusivity", "economic boom and peace", "love and respect", "communication", and "interdependence", among others, embodying their well-wishes for China and the world in the new year.

"All of the keywords that we've shown here for our expectations for 2024 are all connected in one way or another," said Dylan Austin Walker, the host of this episode of Youth Power. "We can see what we should do as youth in order to realize these expectations and aspirations in the new year and the years beyond."

Contact the writer at mengwenjie@i21st.cn