Youth representatives explore Hubei under international exchange program

From Sept. 19 to 23, youth representatives from 13 countries, including Egypt, Brazil, and Argentina, visited central China's Hubei province to explore the history and culture of the Yangtze River, and learned about the economic, cultural and technological development of Hubei, as part of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD) program. 

During the five-day GYLD Yangtze Tour, participants visited the Jingzhou Museum and the Jingzhou Cultural Relics Protection Center to learn about the region's history. They also explored the Tian'ezhou National Nature Reserve for Finless Porpoises, one of the most important ecological conservation sites along the Yangtze River. In Wuhan, the group toured the iconic Yellow Crane Tower and experienced the Optics Valley Skytrain — known as the "air train" — which highlighted the region's achievements in technological innovation and urban development.

Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), meets with Ali Samaan, state minister for youth empowerment, information and arts of the Maldives, and Daniel Filmus, director of the Ibero-American Center for Science, Technology and Innovation, in Beijing on Sept. 19, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

On Sept. 19, Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), met with representatives taking part in the GYLD Yangtze Tour. They included Ali Samaan, state minister of youth empowerment, information and arts of the Maldives, and Daniel Filmus, director of the Ibero-American Center for Research in Science, Technology and Innovation and former minister of science, technology and innovation of Argentina.

During the meetings, Du emphasized that although China, the Maldives, and Argentina are geographically distant, their traditional friendship is deep and their cooperation has a solid foundation. He noted that China and the two countries had already achieved fruitful results in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, infrastructure, science and culture, and modernization. 

As an important institution for international communication and people-to-people exchanges, CICG has attached great importance to strengthening cultural ties with other countries. Looking to the future, CICG is ready to deepen collaboration with the two sides and expand cooperation in youth, academia, publishing, and media, Du said.

On Sept. 20, a flag presentation ceremony was held in Jingzhou, Hubei province, marking a key moment of the tour.

Li Yafang, deputy editor-in-chief of CICG and president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, together with local officials, presented flags to the youth representatives.

The flag presentation ceremony of the GYLD Yangtze Tour is held in Jingzhou, Hubei province, Sept. 20, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

The GYLD Yangtze Tour was jointly organized by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under CICG, the Information Office of the Jingzhou Municipal Government, Hubei Radio and Television Station, and the Hubei Province Yangtze River Cultural Institute. As part of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue framework, it was designed as a platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning among young people worldwide.