As night enveloped the majestic Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang, northwest China’s Gansu Province, the desert came alive with dazzling lights and the hum of excited voices. Over 40 young leaders from China and Latin America embarked on a journey into the heart of the desert to experience a spectacular open-air concert beneath a canopy of stars.
“This is a one-of-a-kind experience, sitting in the desert, soaking in music and the atmosphere. It transcends mere music. It’s a cultural moment,” exclaimed Santiago Acosta, a participant from Chile, his face glowing with excitement after his first desert concert.
This unforgettable evening was part of the 2024 “Bridge of the Future” China-Latin American Young Leaders Training Campus, an initiative organized by the All-China Youth Federation. For four days in Dunhuang, young representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean crossed mountains, seas, and time zones to retrace the steps of the ancient Silk Road, immerse themselves in China’s rich millennia-spanning civilization, and engage in meaningful cultural exchanges.
Since its inception in 2015, the “Bridge of the Future” program has hosted eight sessions, creating a structured platform to foster friendship and collaboration among youth from China and Latin America. The program aims to deepen mutual understanding and build lasting ties between the two regions.
In September 2024, the China-LAC Youth Development Forum was held in Dunhuang, bringing together nearly 70 participants, including youths from Latin American and Caribbean countries, as well as Chinese youth scholars and entrepreneurs. The forum served as a dynamic space for discussing mutual learning among civilizations and exploring pathways for common development.
Leaders of youth organizations and cultural representatives from China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela, and other countries exchanged views on topics such as cultural heritage protection, education on cultural preservation, and youth innovation and employment.
Hu Baijing, vice president of the All-China Youth Federation, remarked in his speech that although China and Latin American countries are geographically distant, their history of cultural exchanges and friendship spans centuries. “Youth, with their ambition and open-mindedness, are the most dynamic drivers of civilizational dialogue,” he emphasized.
Hu encouraged young people across nations to actively promote the diversity of world civilizations, uphold shared human values, and contribute to the next decade of building a shared future for China and Latin America.
A youth representative from Peru highlighted the comprehensive development of China-Latin America relations in recent years and emphasized the forum as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration. “The youth of both sides should utilize their wisdom, strengthen communication, and deepen cooperation to show the world a bright future for China-Latin America development,” he said.
The “Bridge of the Future” program and the China-LAC Youth Development Forum exemplify the growing ties between China and Latin America, fostering a new generation of leaders committed to cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and collaborative progress.
Reference(s):
Bridging cultures: China, LAC strengthen ties through youth exchange
cgtn.com
