BEIJING, Sep 1 (Xinhua) — Amr Wahba, a 31-year-old doctoral student at Tsinghua University, finds the climate in southern China “warm and pleasant” compared to his hometown in Egypt. Since his arrival in Beijing last year to study pharmaceutical science, Wahba has travelled extensively across China, including to Hangzhou and Inner Mongolia. His travels were made possible through the Tsinghua Global Youth Dialogue (TGYD), an initiative that fosters intercultural exchange and global cooperation among young people.
The second TGYD forum, held on Aug. 29 and 30 at Tsinghua University, brought together 100 participants from 35 countries for keynote speeches and discussions. Before the forum, the participants embarked on tours across various regions of China, exploring the country’s advancements in green development and innovation.
During his visit to Inner Mongolia, Wahba was particularly impressed by the region’s efforts to combat desertification through green economic development. This reminded him of similar initiatives in Egypt, where over 90 percent of the land is desert. Wahba believes that the technology and practices he observed in China could be beneficial for Egypt, especially in the area of new energy.
Jenipher Asiimwe, a master’s student from Uganda, was equally inspired by her visit to Zhejiang, a province known for its innovation and economic development. As a former journalist in Africa, Asiimwe emphasized the opportunities for young people to create their own businesses, rather than relying solely on traditional employment. She also expressed hope for increased cooperation between China and Africa in areas such as the digital economy, media, and people-to-people exchanges.
The TGYD initiative reflects China’s commitment to fostering global youth cooperation, as highlighted by Shi Zongkai, deputy chairperson of the University Council of Tsinghua University. Shi emphasized the importance of creating a global network for youth to collaborate and build a safer, more prosperous world.
For Nigerian entrepreneur Hashim Amir Bashir, who recently launched an AI business in partnership with Chinese companies, the TGYD experience was invaluable. He believes that China’s support for international entrepreneurship will encourage more African youth to engage in business opportunities in China. Bashir is optimistic that the upcoming Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will further strengthen ties between the two regions and promote greater collaboration.