On June 13, the 2024 International Youth Dialogue on World Heritage Protection kicked off in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The event was hosted by the China Center for International Communication Development (CCICD) of CICG and the Publicity Department of the CPC Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture Committee under the guidance of the China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Information Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province.

The event also marked the official launch of the 3rd “Lovable China” International Short Video Contest co-hosted by Huaqiao University (HQU) and CCICD. The contest welcomed submissions under three thematic categories: Chasing Dreams in China, Diversity in China, and Smart China. Creators are to explore and display China’s diverse cultures and development achievements with short video works. It is expected that by telling the story of China from their angles, international youths would show the world a true China in a multi-national and panoramic way.

International student livestreamers from HQU’s new media studio Voice of Overseas Students were also invited to speak in the international youth round-table dialogue.

During the dialogue, HQU students Lina from Russia, Ma Shunyu from Myanmar, and Ruanshi Chuiyang from Vietnam, together with other representatives, issued the International Youth Honghe Initiative for World Heritage Protection to call for global youths to exert their leadership in the endeavor to protect, carry on and innovate in the world’s natural and cultural treasures for humanity, highlighting exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.

Low Jia Fang, HQU student from Malaysia participated in a roundtable dialogue with representatives from the China World Heritage Cultural Center of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, China Arab TV in Dubai, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and other institutions. They brought their fresh perspectives to the discussion on key topics such as Chinese cultural heritage management systems, digital protection of world cultural heritage, media’s crucial role in cultural heritage protection, contributing young people’s wisdom and strength to the global effort of cultural heritage preservation.

“World cultural heritage is a valuable treasure shared by all mankind, and stands as a testament to human civilization. As young global citizens, we have the responsibility and obligation to protect world heritage, and invite the youth worldwide to join us in this vital mission.” said Low Jia Fang. She embarked on this journey with a goal to capture the beauty of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces through her lens, sharing with the world the wonder of Chinese ingenuity that also represents the marvels of human civilizations.

On behalf of the 18th HQU Chinese Language Study Class for Foreign Government Officials, Zhang Ailing said in an interview, “Since I arrived in China, my social media has been full of updates about my life here. My friends are amazed by all the photos I post - the scenery looks incredible and the food so tempting. I hope that my photography will allow more people to discover the charm of China, especially the spectacular landscapes of Honghe.”

Zi Zhenhua, Member of the Standing Committee and Director-General of the Organization Department of the CPC Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture Committee, Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Representative of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for East Asia, Qin Changwei, Secretary-General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Lu Cairong, former Vice President of CICG and Secretary of the CPC CICG Committee, Lai Yong, Deputy Director of the Information Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, Jose Francisco Diaz, Minister of the Embassy of Colombia in China, and Lu Qiong, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Chinese Cultural Relics Society, attended and addressed at the event.

Launch Ceremony of the Short Video Contest

Round-table Dialogue

HQU Students at the Event

(Editor: Wei Linying)