On July 29, Beijing became a magnet for more than 3,000 young delegates from over 130 countries at the World Youth Conference for Peace, hosted at Peking University.
United by a vision of peace, participants explored how youth can drive sustainable development and foster a community with a shared future for humanity. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message urging young people to champion peace and contribute to harmonious global progress.
Youth as Drivers of Peace
In his message, President Xi called on young voices to exchange ideas, enhance mutual understanding and build friendships across borders. Ntsoaki Agnes Matela, Third Secretary at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho in China, and Wang Gang, a Ph.D. student at Tsinghua University, echoed this call, pledging to shoulder responsibilities for promoting world peace.
Unleashing Youth Potential
African delegates highlighted challenges such as youth unemployment and social inclusion. Matela noted, "Africa’s young generation is eager to shape a better future, but we need inclusive platforms and partnerships that recognize our potential."
Wang added, "With AI, robotics and new technologies on the rise, young people are at the forefront of innovation. We need to channel this energy into constructive solutions for peace and development."
Green Partnerships Take Center Stage
The 5th China-Africa Future Leaders’ Dialogue ran alongside the conference, focusing on peace-building through green development. Delegates toured eco-parks and smart manufacturing zones in Jinhua and Beijing to see how climate goals align with rural revitalization and urban sustainability.
Matela said, "Green cooperation is not just about the environment. It’s about creating sustainable livelihoods that reduce conflict and build trust between nations."
A Shared Vision for Today and Tomorrow
Both Chinese mainland hosts and African partners agreed that youth are leaders of today, not just tomorrow. "Our role is to turn the vision of peace and sustainability into reality through action and collaboration," Matela remarked.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
