Chinese, Indian youth exchange heated but healthy discussions at China-India Youth Dialogue 2020

NEW DELHI: Chinese and Indian youth delegates had heated but healthy discussions while exchanging views on a wide range of topics including China-India relations and cooperation during the China-India Youth Dialogue 2020 held on Thursday at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in New Delhi.

However, the youths from both sides also enjoyed together with the cultural events, dance, songs as well as food after the exciting and rewarding discussion.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India and the Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL) jointly organized the China-India Youth Dialogue 2020 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India.

“Chinese and Indian youth delegates had heated discussions and exchanged views on a wide range of topics including China-India relations and cooperation under the prescribed theme of Youth of China and India working hand in hand for a brighter future,” said an online post by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in India.

“Dozens of young delegates from both sides put forward their thoughts and ideas on moving the bilateral ties forward, and some shared their experience of studying, living and doing business in each other’s countries. A lot of fresh suggestions and proposals were made. The youth of both sides found the interaction exciting and rewarding. After the discussion, they also enjoyed wonderful performances, including Chinese Wushu & traditional opera, Chinese and Indian music, dances and songs by both sides as part of the China-India youth cultural immersion program,” it further stated.

It was also the first event hosted by the Chinese Embassy to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India this year.

Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong, India’s former Foreign Secretary Shashank and Chairman of the Confederation of Young Leaders Himadrish Suwan presided over the dialogue.

The Youth Dialogue offered a platform for young people from both the nations to exchange ideas, learn from each other, enhance mutual understanding and friendship. All these are warm-up steps to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India this year to foster 2020 as the Year of ‘China-Indian Cultural and People-to-People’ exchanges.

Chinese Embassy and CYL had co-hosted the first China-India Youth Dialogue at the Chinese Embassy in 2018.

Acknowledging the significance of the founding effort, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi conveyed his congratulatory note for the dialogue stating, “The dialogue will provide a platform for the youth of both nations to build a ‘Great Wall of Trust and Cooperation’ between the two countries.

The participants of the second dialogue included diplomats, selected youth delegates and scholars from both the nations for designing a master plan paradigm to forge closer people to people ties, deepen cooperation and expand development space for the overall empowerment of youth. The second China-India youth dialogue has drawn wide attention from the political and academic circles of India. Lots of congratulatory messages have been received including from Union Minister’s, Parliamentarians, Niti Aayog and Vice-Chancellors across India.

The Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong delivered the keynote address on the occasion of the second China-India Youth Dialogue 2020. Ambassador stressed on fostering cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

“Apart from the 70 activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, 2020 is also the Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges between China and India. I hope the young friends will not only actively participate in the celebrations, but also make more mutual visits to each others’ countries so as to deepen mutual understanding, enhance friendship and mutual trust”, said Ambassador Sun Weidong.

CYL Chairman, Himadrish Suwan made warm welcome remarks highlighting the importance of youth exchanges to further promote China-India relations and called the second youth dialogue just the beginning of the year-long engagement to foster closer ‘China-Indian Cultural and People-to-People’ exchanges in 2020.

“I don’t know why, but I feel as if I am back home when I am in China, I am always overwhelmed by the hospitality and love I receive in China each time”, said Suwan.

Indian and Chinese youth delegates had group discussions and exchanged views on China-India relations and cooperation under the prescribed theme of Youth of China and India work hand in hand for a brighter future.

They also enjoyed wonderful performances by both sides as part of the China-India youth cultural immersion program.

To mark the everlasting bond between China and India, a cake cutting ceremony was organized as part of the China-India Youth Dialogue. Further, the China-India Amity Booklet was also released and dedicated to all the youth delegates of the Dialogue.

To highlight the everlasting bond between China and India, Himadrish Suwan, Chairman of CYL, Rajesh Goyal, Chairman of Indian Institute of Photography and  Vansh Saluja, General Secretary of CYL presented a handmade painting of President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the recently concluded Informal Summit in Chennai to Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong.