Jiangxi Dialogue focuses on youth development

Aiming to strengthen people-to-people friendship, youth exchanges and practical cooperation across borders, a youth dialogue held in China brought together voices from all over the world to explore how youth can drive cooperation, innovation and people-to-people friendship across borders.

The event titled “The Dialogue between Youth Leaders from Jiangxi and International Friendship Partners at Different Levels 2026” was held in China’s Jiangxi province from 21 to 25 September.

Under the theme “Energy of Youth for a Better World,” the Dialogue combined high-level discussions with industrial visits, business matchmaking and cultural exchanges, creating a platform where international youth could move beyond dialogue to explore practical cooperation in green development, economic and trade collaboration, vocational education and youth development.

The event was hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and jointly organised by the Jiangxi Provincial Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development, the Jiangxi Provincial Youth Federation, the Jiangxi Branch of the China Vocational Education Association and the Jiangxi Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce.

More than 100 young participants from 25 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Laos, Thailand, Japan, Pakistan, Spain, Russia, Italy, Bulgaria, Ireland, France, Portugal, Zambia, Algeria, Nigeria, Botswana, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, as well as China’s Macao region, took part in the event.

Xia Wenyong, vice governor of Jiangxi Province, Sun Xueqing, vice president of the CPAFFC, Anoop Ranjan Bhattarai, chairman of the Nepal-China Executives Council, and Lopez, second deputy mayor of Alcorcón, Spain, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

In his address, Xia Wenyong welcomed the international participants and introduced Jiangxi’s economic and social development. He emphasized the role of people-to-people friendship, sister-city exchanges and youth engagement as important forces behind Jiangxi’s international exchanges and opening-up.

Xia called on international partners to make better use of their networks and resources to promote cooperation with Jiangxi’s industrial chains. He also encouraged sister cities to maintain regular communication, expand areas of cooperation and deepen mutual understanding and cultural exchange.

Addressing the young leaders, he encouraged them to act as ambassadors of friendship, strengthen mutual learning and sustain cross-border friendships, thereby contributing youthful energy to long-term cooperation.

Sun Xueqing said people-to-people diplomacy serves as an important foundation for strengthening friendship among peoples and supporting state-to-state relations. He encouraged international partners and young leaders to make full use of their advantages in resources, technology, networks and platforms to deepen practical cooperation and promote mutually beneficial development.

He also called on young people to promote mutual learning among civilisations with an open and inclusive outlook and to use international cooperation and sister-city exchange platforms to build new bridges connecting people and communities.

The opening ceremony also saw the signing of two cooperation agreements. Ji’an City of Jiangxi and Alcorcón City of Spain signed a cooperation agreement. In contrast, the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Cambodia-ASEAN Investors Association signed another agreement, creating new channels for cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Bangladesh voices at the dialogue

Bangladesh was represented by two participants invited by the Jiangxi Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. They are Mohammad Tawhidur Rahman, chief executive of Lilliput Essentials Company in Bangladesh, and Dr Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, senior lecturer and researcher at the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages), Sanming University.

Mohammad Tawhidur Rahman took part in the dialogue on “Youth Perspectives: Embracing Inclusive Collaboration for Win-Win Development.” He shared perspectives on the role of young people in promoting inclusive collaboration and mutually beneficial development.

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Dr Mohammad Saiyedul Islam participated in the International Symposium on Youth Development and the 9th Forum on the Communist Youth League and Youth Development, where he delivered a presentation titled “The Similarities and Differences in the Growth and Development of Chinese and Bangladeshi Youth: Reflections from My Experience.”

Drawing on his experience of studying and working in China, Dr Saiyedul discussed the similarities and differences he has observed in the educational experiences, aspirations, and development paths of young people in China and Bangladesh. His presentation also highlighted the role of education, international exposure, and people-to-people exchanges in shaping young people's development.

For the Bangladeshi participants, the event provided an opportunity not only to exchange views with young representatives from different countries but also to develop connections with Chinese institutions, businesses and youth organisations.

From dialogue to firsthand experience

The programme extended beyond conference halls, with participants visiting Ji’an and Fuzhou to gain firsthand knowledge of Jiangxi’s economic and social development and explore opportunities for cooperation in economic, trade, cultural and tourism sectors.

The delegation visited the Zixi County Two Mountains Transformation Center, Dajue Mountain, Lingzhi Town, Wenchangli Historical and Cultural Park, and Jiangxi Weijia Bamboo Culture Technology Co Ltd.

The field visits offered participants an opportunity to observe local approaches to ecological development, cultural preservation, rural revitalisation, and industrial development.

The “Two Mountains” concept, often associated with the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, was reflected in visits highlighting the integration of ecological protection with economic development. Participants also experienced local cultural heritage and tourism resources, gaining a closer understanding of Jiangxi beyond its economic statistics.

The cultural experiences were designed to complement the policy and business discussions, allowing participants to understand local development through direct observation and interaction with communities and enterprises.

Building connections among young people

The five-day programme brought together youth representatives with diverse cultural, educational and professional backgrounds. Discussions covered economic and trade cooperation, education, vocational training, green development, cultural exchange and youth development.

The participation of representatives from 25 countries created opportunities for participants to compare experiences and explore common challenges facing young people in different societies.

Organisers described youth exchanges and people-to-people friendship as important components of international cooperation. The programme sought to encourage young leaders to use their respective networks and expertise to create new opportunities for cooperation and strengthen understanding among peoples.

The event also reflected Jiangxi’s efforts to expand international exchanges through sister-city relationships, youth organisations, business networks and people-to-people diplomacy.

By combining thematic discussions with industrial and cultural visits, the dialogue provided participants with both a platform for exchanging ideas and an opportunity to see Jiangxi’s development firsthand.

For the international youth representatives, the programme offered an opportunity to transform professional contacts into personal connections and explore areas where cooperation could continue after the event.

The Jiangxi dialogue concluded with a shared focus on turning youth exchanges into lasting partnerships. Through face-to-face dialogue, field visits and cultural experiences, participants gained a closer understanding of Jiangxi while building connections that could support future cooperation among institutions, businesses and young people.

As international challenges increasingly require cooperation across borders, the gathering underscored the role of young people in building bridges of friendship, promoting mutual understanding and creating new opportunities for practical cooperation.