The thematic salon "Chinese and Foreign Youths Travel Thousands of Miles: From Chang'an to the World" was successfully held on Sunday in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. The event, dedicated to sharing the Silk Road spirit and empowering youth, brought together a diverse group of participants to discuss cultural exchange and global cooperation.

Co-hosted by the Information and Communication Bureau of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Contemporary World Press, and Xi'an Foreign Studies University (XISU), the salon gathered youth leaders of political parties, media representatives, experts, scholars, poets, and students from China, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and other countries and regions. They convened in the ancient capital of Xi'an to celebrate Silk Road friendship and promote mutual learning among civilizations.

Strengthening Ties Through Dialogue and Cooperation

Professor Wu Yaowu, President of XISU, presided over the opening ceremony. The event featured a series of speeches emphasizing the enduring relevance of the Silk Road.

Zhu Rui, former Assistant Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, stressed the importance of openness, inclusiveness, and mutual learning as valuable qualities of Chinese civilization. He encouraged young people from all countries to promote understanding through dialogue and win-win cooperation to contribute wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Liu Zhentao, Party Secretary of XISU, highlighted Chang'an's historical status as the starting point of the Silk Road and introduced Xi'an's ongoing efforts to protect traditional culture while exploring new pathways for Silk Road civilization in the modern era.

Gao Jinxiao, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Government, called on the younger generation to undertake the mission of cultural exchange and contribute their energy to promoting mutual learning among civilizations openly and inclusively.

An international perspective was provided by Nuran Kasmaileva, Director of the International Department of Kyrgyzstan’s Kabar State News Agency. She stated that the Silk Road spirit is not only an echo of history but also a crucial concept for tackling today's global challenges, urging media professionals to serve as bridges for civilizational dialogue.

Signing Agreements and Launching New Initiatives

The opening ceremony also served as a platform for concrete collaboration. Liu Zhentao, on behalf of XISU, signed a university-enterprise cooperation agreement with Li Shuowu, President of Contemporary World Press. Additionally, a launching ceremony was held for the new book, The Chinese Poetry Dictionary in the United States, setting an academic and cultural tone for the salon.

Expert and Youth Perspectives on the Silk Road

The salon featured insightful keynote speeches and youth sharing sessions.

Professor Huang Dayuan, Director of the Center for Central Asia and the Caspian Sea Research at XISU, presented "From the Network of the 'Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor' to See the Mutual Learning of Civilizations on the Silk Road," analyzing the dynamic mechanisms of multiple civilizations intersecting along the historic route.

Yuan Xiaojun, General Manager of Xi'an International Port Group, delivered a speech titled "From the China-Europe Freight Train to a New Chapter of the Silk Road: Chang'an Resumes a New Course of Prosperity," discussing the practical development of infrastructure connectivity, trade, and people-to-people exchanges in the new era.

In a youth sharing session, four representatives from XISU-Su Zihan, Jin Xiaoyan, Wei Lan, and Mina, an international student from Tajikistan-shared their personal experiences in cultural preservation and international exchange. Mina connected the cultural memory of Silk Road sites in her home country to express the shared aspiration of the younger generation for peace and cooperation.

Focused Discussions on Media and Culture

Two panel discussions were held under the theme "From Chang'an to the Belt and Road Initiative: Changes and Constants in Sino-Foreign Cultural Exchanges." These sessions focused on media cooperation, policy synergy, and cultivating cross-cultural media talent through international programs.

Shavkat Rusmetov, Director of Public Relations at the National Rejuvenation Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, proposed an initiative to build a "new Silk Road information corridor." Battugs Eldengia, a senior contributor at the Mongolian News Service, emphasized the importance of exchange projects for youth capacity building. The discussions were lively, featuring a constant (collision) of ideas and a steady consolidation of consensus.

A parallel book sharing session for The Chinese Poetry Dictionary in the United States was held by Contemporary World Press. Guests Deng Kangyan and author Tang Cheng shared their thoughts on the cross-cultural communication of literature under the themes "Chinese Language Crosses the Ocean, Poetry Returns to Qinling" and "Returning to the Homeland of Poetry," respectively. Students actively participated in the interaction, extending the theme of cultural exchange into the realms of literature and emotion.

Conclusion and Site Visit

To conclude the event, participants visited the Museum of History and the Center for Collaborative Innovation at XISU to gain a deeper understanding of the university's achievements in international talent development and regional research.

Through multi-level and multi-form exchanges, this thematic salon effectively enhanced recognition of the Silk Road spirit among Chinese and foreign youth, broadened international cooperation networks, and injected new vitality into promoting mutual learning among civilizations. Participants expressed their commitment to spreading the story of Xi'an and the spirit of the Silk Road across the world, ensuring that the seeds of peace and development are passed on through the generations.