The Z generation of the six Lancang-Mekong countries held a dialogue with the source of the Yangtze River: equality, mutual assistance, and one family
2024-08-19
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China News Service, Yushu, Qinghai, August 19th, Title: The Z generation of the six Lancang-Mekong countries talks about the source of the Yangtze River: equality, mutual assistance, and one family
China News Network reporter Zhang Tianfu
"I am not only standing here as a Vietnamese youth, but also representing the youth of our country and the entire Lancang-Mekong River Basin," said Ngoc Quynh, a Vietnamese youth representative and student at the Vietnam Diplomatic Academy. "The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation has opened many doors for us - doors that our parents and grandparents have never experienced."
The picture shows the scene of the Z generation river source dialogue at the 2024 Lancang-Mekong International Image Week. Photo courtesy of Liu Sufen
As the highlight of the 2024 Lancang-Mekong International Image Week, the Generation Z River Source Dialogue was held in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province on the 18th. The youth of the six Lancang-Mekong countries shared the Lancang-Mekong culture of "equality, sincere mutual assistance, and family-like" in the eyes of Generation Z, focusing on three topics: development opportunities and challenges, promoting cultural exchanges in the river basin, and the capabilities that should be possessed in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The above dialogue was hosted by Wen Longjie, deputy director of the Commentary and Theory Department of China News Service.
Equality: Innovative cooperation lays the foundation for Lancang-Mekong exchanges
The Lancang-Mekong River originates in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. It winds for nearly 10,000 miles, closely linking the six countries of China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
"On the platform of Lancang-Mekong cooperation, we can unleash our innovative spirit and enable young people to play a leading role in sustainable development, technological progress and cultural exchanges," said Yu Qiong. "Let us imagine that if we unite and act towards the same goals and vision, we will surely unleash more power to bring about change."
Sutara, a representative of the Lao youth, said that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought new technologies to the world. We can use technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet, big data, and blockchain to promote the development of e-commerce, finance, smart agriculture, software development, and application design. "We young people will have the opportunity to find faster and more effective employment and learning opportunities in these emerging fields."
Cambodian youth representative Pilon said that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought rich technological innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities to young people in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin, created conditions for cross-border cooperation and regional development in the region, and also brought digital transformation and employment opportunities to young people, promoting the process of globalization and cultural innovation.
"Whether it is digital marketing, data analysis, software development or cybersecurity, young people can obtain high-paying jobs and enter fast-growing industries by learning new technologies," Pilon shared his insights.
Fan Xiaoting, a Chinese youth representative and Fudan University student, once participated in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin Governance and Development Youth Innovation Design Competition jointly held by universities in the six Lancang-Mekong countries. "I have personally witnessed the collaborative cooperation and inspiration collision among the youth of the six countries. This atmosphere of innovative cooperation and academic collision has enabled us to constantly challenge ourselves and improve our professional quality, and has also laid a good foundation for future exchanges and cooperation among youth in the region."
Mutual Aid: Bringing together the power of youth and community
"The Lancang-Mekong River Basin is rich and colorful. As long as countries work together, they can draw rich experience from each other's culture and practices." Mien, a Thai youth representative and student at Prince of Songkla University, said that opportunities are accompanied by challenges, such as language barriers and cultural differences. "We must be fully prepared and actively participate in language and cultural exchange programs to promote respect and understanding for each other, which is crucial for future cooperation among countries in the basin."
Sustainable development is a long-term focus of Mien. “The lives of people in the basin are inseparable from the Lancang-Mekong River. The younger generation can seize the unique opportunity of Lancang-Mekong cooperation and actively promote the sustainable development of all countries.”
Mien suggested that we should advocate and cultivate environmental awareness and put it into practice. "We can establish a network of young leaders in ecological and environmental protection in the six Lancang-Mekong countries to pool and exert collective strength."
In view of the current rapidly developing society, Zani, a representative of Myanmar youth and a student at Yangon University, believes that young people need to adapt to higher skill requirements. "Some young people in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin may lack relevant training. In the future, this problem can be solved through vocational training, internship programs and mentor programs."
The picture shows Lancang-Mekong youth participating in the Z Generation River Source Dialogue of the 2024 Lancang-Mekong International Image Week. Photo courtesy of Liu Sufen
"As a Chinese youth, I know that we are not only the inheritors of culture, but also the promoters of cultural exchanges," said Fan Xiaoting. "Our generation grew up in an era of information explosion, with convenient communication tools and a broad learning platform. This provides us with unique conditions to play a bridging role in promoting Lancang-Mekong cultural exchanges."
A family: full of vitality, stories and dreams
"From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil temples of Luang Prabang, from the floating markets in the Mekong Delta to the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat, this place is full of vitality, stories and dreams with every breath." In Ngoc Quynh's view, such a rich culture is providing young people with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in promoting people-to-people exchanges.
Sutara said that as disseminators of culture, young people can introduce their country's cultural traditions, customs, and art to young people in other countries by participating in art exhibitions and traditional festivals. "With the rapid development of technology, digital tools such as social media and video platforms can be used to promote cultural interaction and understanding."
"The Lancang-Mekong River is a lifeline that winds through six countries. It is not just a river, but also carries a long tradition," Zani said. "This river embodies rich and colorful diversity in culture, connecting us together and sharing a common journey. I invite everyone to discuss it together and let our youth create a more meaningful carrier of communication."
The 2024 Lancang-Mekong International Image Week is hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of Qinghai Province, the Information Office of the People's Government of Qinghai Province, the Yushu Prefecture Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Yushu Prefecture People's Government, and the Qinghai Branch of China News Service, undertaken by the Publicity Department of the Yushu Prefecture Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Zaduo County Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Nangqian County Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Zaduo County People's Government and the Nangqian County People's Government, implemented by the Qinghai Branch of China News Service International Communication Group, and co-organized by the Yushu Prefecture Committee of the Communist Youth League.
At the same time, the 2024 Lancang-Mekong International Image Week has received support from Fudan University, Hohai University, Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center, and China News Photography Society. (End)
