The 2023 China in Dialogue with the World, themed “Xiamen Tour for Global Young Leaders,” took place in Xiamen from 12 to 14 November. Sixteen young leaders from 12 different countries, including the US, France, Italy, Russia, Denmark, South Africa, Egypt and Pakistan, visited Xiamen Special Economic Zone Memorial Hall, Hairun Terminal, Yundang Lake, Gulangyu Island, youth-led businesses, and Lianhua Township.
The purpose of the visit was to discover Xiamen’s practices and long-term plans for exploring the way forward under the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and to experience the city’s vitality, openness and innovation.
On Gulangyu Island, young leaders learnt about the preservation and optimisation of centuries-old architecture, including the Gulangyu Piano Museum. During his visit, Claudio Villone, an Italian student, emphasised the significance of Gulangyu Island as it preserves historical buildings that reflect both Chinese and Western architecture, a testament to the city’s diversity and respect for cultural heritage.
At the Hairun terminal in the port of Xiamen, young guests were presented how 5G, AI and other technologies have made the port smart. Kudaiar Kyzynuraiym, a young sinologist from Kyrgyzstan, expressed her eagerness to observe cooperation between Xiamen and her homeland flourish.
At Yundang Lake, the young leaders went for a walk. They discovered how the Xiamen municipal government has transformed the once polluted lake into an eco-friendly meeting place for modern urban residents.
During the meeting on the afternoon of the 14 November, young leaders shared their thoughts and feelings about Xiamen. Yao Jianhong, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Xiamen Municipal People’s Government, pledged to establish China in Dialogue with the World as an important platform for the promotion of the GDI, with international youth playing a prominent role.
He also wished that through the dialogue, young leaders worldwide can get a better understanding of Xiamen and provide advice for the development of the city.
Zhang Juan, deputy editor in chief of the Centre for Europe and Africa of China International Communications Group (CICG), stated that this event emphasised the importance of communication and cooperation. She hoped that young leaders from various nations would participate in enhancing exchanges between China and the world, while presenting to the world the real Xiamen and real China.
Under the guidance of CICG, the Centre for Europe and Africa and Xiamen have collaborated to establish China in Dialogue with the World, a cooperation mechanism that has been efficiently executed since 2021.
