The "Generation Z Portrait of China" online interactive activity was launched in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province on the 26th. "Generation Z" youth representatives from 11 countries including China, Russia, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, as well as Chinese government officials, university scholars, and journalists talk about international communication, cultural exchanges, and mutual learning in civilization at Shangri-La.
The scene of the symposium on the theme of "China in the Eyes of Generation Z Foreign Youth". Photo by Zhong Xin
The "Generation Z Portrait of China" interactive online activity is directed by the Cyberspace Administration of China, hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China and China News, and co-organized by the Yunnan Branch of China News Service and the the Cyberspace Administration of the Diqing Prefecture Party Committee of the Communist Party of China. During the 6-day event, the youth representatives of "Generation Z" will experience the colorful Tibetan traditional culture such as Tibetan food, clothing, singing, and dancing. They will also visit Pudacuo National Park, Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic Spot, Balog Zon, Meili Snow Mountain, and other majestic natural places. From the perspective of young people, they will promote exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations around the world by showing the real, three-dimensional and comprehensive China to the world,
Lu Zhijun, member of the Standing Committee of the Diqing Prefecture Committee of the Communist Party of China, and head of the Publicity Department of the Diqing Prefecture of the Communist Party of China, said in his welcome speech that, Diqing in Tibetan means "auspicious place" and is located at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet. There are 26 ethnic minority groups including Tibetan, Lisu, Naxi, and Bai. Diqing also has many internationally renowned tourism brands such as the world-famous "Shangri-La", "Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas ", "Meili Snow Mountain", and "Tea Horse Road". It is hoped that the youth representatives participating in this event will introduce Diqing's unique natural resources and rich and colorful national culture to the world. This can show the unity, openness, vitality, green beauty, and warmth of Diqing's image, realizing the effect of "two-way rush" both online and offline.
Russian student Irina shared her feelings. Photo by Zhong Xin
At the symposium on the theme of "China in the Eyes of Generation Z Foreign Youth", youth representatives of "Generation Z" from 11 countries shared their love for China and their expectations for this trip. Irina, a Russian student studying at Beijing Jiaotong University, said, "My hometown is very close to China. Since I was a child, my grandfather said that he is very optimistic about China and hopes that I will study in China when I grow up. Finally, I realized this dream." On the 25th When she arrived in Diqing, she happened to know that she had won a scholarship to continue to study for a doctorate in China. "I hope to take this opportunity to learn more about China while studying, and to enhance mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two countries."
"Generation Z" youth representatives shared their love for China and their expectations for this trip. Photo by Zhong Xin
"Generation Z" youth representatives shared their love for China and their expectations for this trip. Photo by Zhong Xin
"This is the first time I have come to Yunnan, and also the first time I have come to southern China, so I am like a blank sheet of paper full of expectations." Ino from Malawi hoped to see China with his own eyes, feel the ethnic culture and natural scenery of Yunnan, make the blank paper rich and colorful, and leave unforgettable memories through this event.
Wang Huan, head of Yunqiao.com, the South Asia and Southeast Asia Regional International Communication Center of Yunnan Province, introduced Yunnan's exploration and experience in international communication during his speech. "We attach great importance to the attention and feedback from Yunnan's neighboring regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and young people from all over the world. We also use overseas young people's shooting plan, style collection plan, drafting mechanism, etc. to co-create topics that everyone likes to discuss and love to pursue. Let’s see and perceive the ‘why’ of China and the world together.” She said that she hopes to have more opportunities to be with friends offline, just like today, to help everyone build a more authentic and comprehensive local image and National Image.
Shan Xiaohong, the professor at the School of Journalism in Yunnan University, said with emotion after the students' sharing session that this event is for the exchange of different civilizations and different growth experiences. It can help to offer new ideas and possibilities about the commonality, empathy and universality of stories between China and various countries in the world. The upcoming Diqing tour of the "Generation Z" from different countries will better demonstrate the understanding of China from creators with diverse cultural backgrounds, show the unique perspectives and discourse expressions of the "Generation Z" in various countries. Furthermore, it can contribute to the mutual learning and exchange of human civilizations, and to win the understanding and tolerance of other civilizations.
Wang Jiang, a member of the Party group of Xinhua News Agency Yunnan Branch, said that young people and "Generation Z" are important to promote exchanges and mutual learning of civilizations between China and foreign countries, and they will lead the future of the world. What is gratifying is that more and more foreign youths not only choose to study in China, but also participate in China's construction. They are active on major social media platforms. With their proficient use of new media and personalized expression, they show China in their eyes and inject force for the international community to better understand China. We wished that the young people participating in this event can feel the charm of colorful Yunnan, gain mutual understanding and have harmonious relations through exchanges.
Wang Qingfu, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of Yunnan Provincial Party Committee, welcomed the "Generation Z" youths to visit Yunnan. He said that in recent years, to tell the story of Yunnan well, and display a good image of China, the Cyberspace Administration of Yunnan Provincial Party Committee has given full play to its geographical and location advantages, strengthened and improved international communication. In the future, the "Generation Z" are welcome to visit Yunnan frequently, to perceive China three-dimensionally, and introduce China accurately, so that more international friends can see a credible, lovely and respectable China.
Qi Bin, the editorial board member of China News Service and vice president of China News, said that the purpose of holding the "Generation Z Portrait of China" online interactive activity is to use young people as the starting point to enhance mutual understanding, promote cultural exchanges and develop better relationships between China and foreign countries. The world will see a real, three-dimensional, and comprehensive China which has diverse landscape and humanities, and the new era of striving to pursue future dreams. Everyone will also realize that China is not the paradise-like "Shangri-La" described in the novels 90 years ago, but a large developing country with a population of 1.4 billion and 56 ethnic groups. We look forward to the "Generation Z" youth "starting again" from Shangri-La, and portraying a real, three-dimensional, and comprehensive new China to the world.
Wang Ying, head of the relevant business department of the office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, said at the ending of this event that to let the mountains and rivers, people and the Diqing locals have face-to-face and close communications with the world, she hoped that the "Generation Z" youth representatives would have more exchanges and dialogues with the local people to deepen mutual understandings, and share the "immersive" experience in Diqing with the world from the perspective of youths. At the same time, it is expected that everyone can observe Yunnan's progress and achievements in economic and social development, ecological environment protection, urban construction, technological innovation and other aspects from a micro perspective to better appreciate Yunnan's unique charm. In addition, she is looking forward that everyone will have an in-depth understanding of the integration and development of Chinese multi-ethnic cultures, can truly record the current status of Chinese social development, and decode the historical origins and realistic foundations of China, and further tell Chinese stories in a more in-depth, novel and interesting way.
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(Editors: Carina, Amy)