Li Bin, vice chairwoman of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), chairwoman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), and president of the Chinese-African People's Friendship Association, attended the opening ceremony of the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival on April 18 in Beijing.
The event, under the theme "connecting the dreams of youth and forging ahead on a new journey of China-Africa cooperation," was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CSCLF, and the Shandong Provincial People's Government, and organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People and the Shandong Provincial People's Government Foreign Affairs Office. CSCLF vice chairwoman Shen Beili presided over the opening ceremony.
CSCLF chairwoman Li Bin delivers a speech
In her speech, Li Bin highlighted the significance of the Global Civilization Initiative, which advocates respecting cultural diversity, promoting common values, valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and strengthening international cooperation. She also acknowledged the long history of cultural exchanges between China and Africa and the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation for building friendship. She emphasized the importance of promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning in deepening cooperation in the new era.
Li said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the "principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith" towards African countries, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Under the joint promotion of leaders from China and Africa, significant achievements have been made in developing China-Africa relations. Li emphasized the importance of youth in the future of China-Africa relations and encouraged African youth to visit China to understand its dynamic development. She pledged that CSCLF will continue to promote friendship between China and Africa and facilitate youth exchanges to become a driving force for China-Africa cooperation.
Li Bin announced the opening of the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival.
The opening ceremony of the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival
Liu Yuxi, special representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs, and Ibrahima Sory Sylla, Senegal's ambassador to China, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Emile Rwagasana, deputy chief of staff of the African Union, spoke on behalf of African youth. Over 150 people attended the event, including ambassadors and senior diplomats from 26 African countries, African students in China, and Chinese youth representatives.
Chinese and African youth representatives experience traditional Chinese culture
The event was organized in accordance with the consensus reached by leaders of China and African countries at the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2015. It aims to promote exchanges between Chinese and African youth, continue the traditional friendship between China and Africa, and cultivate a new generation of young individuals who will contribute to the China-Africa relationship. Since its inception in 2016, the event has been held six times, playing an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and African youth. This year's festival is held from April 16 to 23 in Beijing and Shandong province.
(Source: International Cooperation and Exchange Department of CSCLF)
