By Jenipher Asiimwe (our correspondent in Beijing, China)
From August 19th to 22nd, the Second Tsinghua Global Youth Dialogue (TGYD) officially commenced in Shanghai. Young representatives from around the world embarked on a four-day exploration journey in the city, witnessing and experiencing the innovative charm and boundless vitality of this open metropolis.
At the welcome reception in Shanghai, Wu Bin, Chairman of the Shanghai Youth Federation, emphasized that the development of a city is inseparable from the “mutual engagement” with its youth. “As a forefront of China’s reform and opening-up and a deeply connected global metropolis, Shanghai serves as a vital window for the world to observe China. It plays a leading role in deepening comprehensive reforms and expanding high-level openness. Here, one can spark limitless inspiration and creativity and find like-minded partners.”
TGYD brought together 100 young elites from 35 countries, aiming to create a cross-border communication platform where global youth can enhance friendships through mutual understanding and inspire each other through the exchange of ideas. It not only showcased the spirit and responsibility of Chinese youth in the new era but also built a bridge to promote international youth exchange and cooperation, contributing youthful energy to the peace and development of the world.
During the site visits, the youth representatives explored companies like SEER Robotics and Bilibili, experiencing firsthand the innovative strength of Chinese tech firms and the vibrant growth of the cultural industry. SEER Robotics impressed the young people with its advanced robotics technology, inspiring them to reflect on their future career paths. Meanwhile, Bilibili, with its unique video community ecosystem, allowed them to deeply appreciate the cultural confidence and innovative spirit of China’s younger generation. The representatives also visited automotive companies like NIO and SAIC General Motors Company Ltd., gaining a firsthand understanding of the rapid development of China’s intelligent connected vehicles and the corporate culture of the automotive industry.
Additionally, the young representatives visited Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub Group and Tesla Giga Shanghai (Gigafactory 3), where they experienced China’s leading position in international trade and smart manufacturing. During academic lectures and discussions at Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, they engaged in lively exchanges on global issues such as youth leadership, climate change, and sustainable development, collectively exploring the role and mission of youth in global governance.
Martin Jesse Theodore, a pioneer in Indigenous community development from Australia, took this opportunity to express his vision of strengthening international connections, promoting global influence, and deepening China-Australia friendship. He felt a strong resonance between Australian Indigenous communities and China in terms of culture, heritage preservation, and community building. Martin also called on the Australian government to learn from China’s experiences to create a more inclusive and prosperous development environment for Indigenous people.
Meanwhile, Faezeh Mirzabeh, a member of the Iran-China Youth Trade Association, was visiting Shanghai for the first time. She was deeply impressed by the city’s rich historical heritage and modern architectural style. She marveled at the multilingual abilities of Shanghai’s residents and expressed curiosity and respect for the city’s cultural diversity. Jeslyn Yue Liu, a scholar from Harvard University, witnessed Shanghai’s rapid transformation through her unique perspective and found her affection for the city growing ever stronger.
The Tsinghua Global Youth Dialogue was established by Tsinghua University in 2023, organized by the Tsinghua University Center for Global Competence Development and the Tsinghua University Cyrus Tang Center for Student Global Development, with support from the JD Foundation. With the mission “Empowering the Youth of Tomorrow, Shaping the Future for the Youth” and the theme “Harmony and Unity for the Greater Common Good,” the dialogue provides a platform for exchange, mutual learning, and building understanding among 100 youth representatives from 35 countries and regions around the world.
The Tsinghua Global Youth Dialogue Shanghai event was co-hosted by Tsinghua University, the Shanghai Youth Federation, and the Shanghai Municipal Economic and Informatization Commission. Following this, the youth representatives will continue their journey in China, visiting Zhejiang, Guizhou, Inner Mongolia, and other regions to engage in practical activities, experience China’s development pulse, explore future cooperation opportunities, and create a model for global youth collaboration.
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