The 2nd China-US-Europe Young Leaders Exchange Program was successfully held in Beijing and Qinghai from September 8 to 17, 2015. Eleven young members from China, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US have participated in the program. Initiated in 2014, this program is aimed at building a platform of people-to-people exchanges for young statesmen, scholars, media elites and business leaders from China, US and Europe through discussions, field studies and cultural events, in the hope of enhancing mutual understanding and pragmatic cooperation, as well as sustaining stable and sound development of China-US and China-Europe relations in the long term. This program is strongly supported by China Foundation for Peace and Development.

 

In Beijing, Mr. Liu Hongcai, Advisor to CAFIU and Vice-Minister of the International Department of CPC Central Committee met with all participants. The participants had in-depth discussions on topics of China’s Economic Development: Achievements, Challenges and Paths as well as The Belt and Road Initiative: Opportunities and Challenges, and took part in an international conference themed on Reform, Governance and Cooperation. Besides, they visited Zhongguancun Inno Way and got a glimpse of China’s enthusiasm about mass entrepreneurship and innovation. As part of the program, the participants went to the service center of Chaowai Community and learnt about how NGOs in China got involved in community management, public interest undertakings and voluntary work. They also visited the Shunyi campus of Beijing City University, where they watched Beijing Opera, calligraphy, painting, sculpture and other traditional Chinese cultural performances given by teachers and students, and had sports events together with the teachers and students. Accompanied by volunteers, the overseas participants visited the local households of Shijingshan District of Beijing and spent one day with the families.

 

In Qinghai, the participants were received by Mr. Ma Shunqing, member of the Standing Committee of CPC Qinghai Provincial Committee and President of Qinghai Trade Union. They took part in a seminar themed on Promoting Regional Cooperation Based on Local Strength: A Case Study of Qinghai in the Belt and Road Initiative, visited Duoba National Sports Training Center and learnt about Qinghai’s international sports events with distinct ethnic and local features. The participants also visited Qinghai Jiesen Group and saw the potential of private business in the Belt and Road Initiative, and visited the Dongguan Mosque of Xining, where they saw the harmonious co-existence of various ethnic groups, religions and cultures in Qinghai, as well as the common improvement of livelihood of people from various ethnic groups and religions.

 

I. Exchanges and discussions have enhanced mutual understanding.

 

Through several international conferences, themed discussions and briefings, the participants shared among themselves the latest political, economic and social development of their respective countries, the opportunities and challenges, as well as their opinions on bilateral relations and the international situation. The overseas participants also have a more comprehensive and objective understanding about the “four comprehensives”, the “Belt and Road” initiative and other major national strategies and concepts of China. According to Mr. Marco Costa, Deputy Mayor of Busana, Reggio Emilia of Italy, the “Belt and Road” initiative was significant to answer the call of the times, and it closely linked Asia, the Middle East and Europe through specific programs of various layers, fields and dimensions. This strategy is conducive to promoting the integration of international markets, lowering trade protection barriers, strengthening the exchanges and cooperation of countries and regions along the route, and deepening the mutual understanding and recognition and different cultures and civilizations. It would surely bring in new opportunities of development for various countries. Some participants suggested that we should fully understand the risks and challenges of the huge number and various demand of the countries along the route, as well as the complicated security situation. We should try to guard against and tackle the terrorist threat of ISIS and possible problems while carrying out the “Belt and Road” initiative, and do a better job in introducing the initiative to people from the countries along the route, so that they can faithfully and comprehensively understand the principles, framework concept, key points and mechanism in cooperation of the initiative. It is hoped that through these efforts, the initiative can enhance consensus, reduce resistance and bring more benefit to people along the route.

 

II. The potential of China’s development is shown through field study.

 

For many delegates, it is their first China visit. They said that during this visit, they saw with their own eyes a true and lively China in a comprehensive and objective way, boasting steady economic growth, harmonious co-existence of various ethnic groups and peaceful lifestyle. This is completely different from what they are told by local media. They also learnt a lot by visiting the communities, neighborhood, schools and enterprises, as well as in-depth discussions with officials, experts, entrepreneurs, teachers and students. In Zhongguancun Inno Way, the delegates talked with people in charge of incubators like 3W coffee, Dark Horse Club and Yan Jiyou Bookshop, and knew more about China’s “mass innovation and entrepreneurship”, the innovative business mode of “Internet +”, one-stop service of the communities, the support of the government for young entrepreneurs as well as the market potential of China tapped by deepened reform. According to Daniel Foest, General-Secretary of FDP Bayern, Germany, the brief visit has greatly enhanced his understanding about China, more than what he can get from ten years of reading. He was deeply impressed by the fact that the administration center at the local level can provide customer-oriented and professional one-stop service, which can help a start-up company to complete the registration procedure within 2 days. What’s more, with a proof letter of the current company, the entrepreneurs can apply as much as 500,000 RMB of bank credit thanks to the convenient and efficient service. It is hoped that the modern neighborhood of entrepreneurship and incubators can set a good example with positive influence, and become the cradle of future hi-tech companies and the holy place for entrepreneurs.

 

III. Interactive exchanges have drawn us closer.

 

During the visit in China, the overseas delegates were most impressed by the cultural events, interactive exchanges with teachers, students and community volunteers, as well as the home visit to households in Beijing. Some delegates said that the cultural events such as wearing Han costumes, conducting the ancient ceremonies, enjoying Beijing opera, reading Chinese ancient work Standards for Students and watching the masters painting allowed them to understand the time-honored history and splendid civilization of China. By playing basketball with the teachers and students, they can feel the pace and vigor of the times. Walking into the flats of ordinary people, the overseas participants enjoyed valuable moments of making dumplings, playing the piano, singing and wandering in the neighborhood with the hosts. The friendliness and sincerity of the Chinese people have drawn them closer to each other, and enhanced mutual understanding and friendship. What’s more, although China has a different social system, cultural background and development path from European and American countries, it is understood that people have the same aspiration for a better life and prosperity.

 

This year’s China-US-Europe Young Leaders Exchange Program was concluded. But the We-Chat group set up for the program is still active. Members of the group share the latest progress in their career, as well as news about their life. We believe that in time, more and more young Chinese, American and European leaders will join the program, make their due contribution to enhancing the understanding and friendship among Chinese, American and European people, and advance the state relations among China, the US and Europe.