Chinese and Indian youth representatives from various fields had friendly and meaningful exchanges and discussions on July 25 in Beijing at the China-India Youth Dialogue.

Under the guidance of the China International Communications Group (CICG), the forum, themed "Together for a Better Future", was jointly organized by the CICG Center for Europe and Asia (China Pictorial Publications), China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC), and Cheena-Bhavana of Visva-Bharati University.

The China-India Youth Dialogue, an international forum themed on "Together for a Better Future", is held in Beijing on July 25. Guests discuss youth exchanges and cooperation during the event.

Gao Anming, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of the CICG, Zha Liyou, Chinese Consul General to Kolkata, Avijet Banerjee, Professor and Head of Cheena-Bhavana of Visva-Bharati University, and Zhang Hua, Director of the CIYEC, addressed the event. Over 10 Chinese and Indian youth representatives from various fields shared views on assorted topics for youth exchange.

In his speech, Gao noted that the Chinese and Indian youth are a majestic force that pushes the two nations forward and enhances the understanding and friendship between the two countries, adding that the youth of both countries should offer advice and suggestions on national development, ponder over global trends and explore ways to strengthen cooperation between China and India.

He also expressed the hope that the two youth will embrace a global vision, pursue their dreams on the global stage, and jointly create a bright future for the world.

Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Zha said that the current level of youth exchange between China and India is not commensurate with the status of the two countries. 

He said that the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata will continue to promote exchanges between Chinese and Indian youth in culture, sports, film and television, and entrepreneurship, and bridge schools of the two countries to enhance cooperation and mutual understanding.

Professor Banerjee said the two ancient civilizations have carried out friendly exchanges in fields like culture and education since ancient times, adding that the two countries should take solid steps to further promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

CIYEC Director Zhang said that youth will determine the future of the world, and breathe new life into state-to-state relations. 

He underlined that China-India youth exchange should be considered from strategic and practical perspectives, and the governments of both countries should guide young people to conduct extensive communication so as to increase mutual understanding and trust.

During the event youth representatives from China and India discussed topics such as "why exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Indian youth are important" and "how to enhance exchange and mutual learning between them".

He An, former first secretary of the Chinese Embassy in India and an extramural academic advisor at the Ocean University of China, said that everyone who is committed to promoting cultural exchange between China and India should make efforts to create a "CHINDIA".

Kamal Panchal, Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference and Vice President of the India-Pakistan Scout Youth Forum, said that the future of China and India depends on the youth, and the two sides should organize more activities such as talent exchange and cultural exchange, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in key areas such as artificial intelligence and alternative energy sources.

Yang Siling, Deputy Director and Researcher of the Institute for South Asian Studies at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, shared thoughts about his tour in India and stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges for better mutual understanding.

Yang suggested that China and India rely on sister cities, universities, and the media to enrich and expand youth exchanges.

Bikash Kali Das, Founder and Director of the Xufancheng Culture Study Center in India, who is also Secretary General of the Pondicherry China-India Friendship Association, said that there are many similarities between Chinese and Indian youth, and youth exchange matters in building consensus and promoting cross-cultural cooperation.

He added that China and India should further strengthen youth cooperation in the field of digital technology in the future.

Balaji Balasubramanian, a test design and automation engineer at the Volkswagen China R&D Center, said that China and India are populous countries with a high proportion of youth, who are important drivers in achieving the development goals of the two countries.

"The future of India-China ties is in the hands of youth," said Nishith Shah, Founder and Principal of the India China Academy in Mumbai. "The youth needs wisdom and courage drawn from the rich history and cultural heritage of these two nations, to continue to make relations healthier."

Darshana Dewashi, winner of the 21st "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students (India), shared her Chinese-learning experience at the event.

The graduate from Visva-Bharati University said she is prepared to become an envoy for the India-China cultural exchange and dedicate herself to building the friendship between the two countries.

Du Juan, a Chinese dancer who specializes in Indian dances, said dance and music are her ways of "seeing the world."

"In the past 10 years, I have done more than 100 events to spread the beauty of Indian dance," Du said. "Dance is truly becoming an emotional connection between the youth of the two countries."

Other Chinese and Indian representatives, including Chen Weiwen, Counselor and Lecturer at the School of Literature of Capital Normal University and an awardee of "Beijing Young Role Models" for 2018, Guo Fei, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Party Committee of Leshan Vocational and Technical College, Zhu Xuan, an associate research fellow at the Center for Indian Studies of Shenzhen University, Xu Hui, Lecturer at the School of Art and Design at Dalian Polytechnic University and doctoral student in drama and film studies at Beijing Normal University, and Maitri Sharma, a journalist of the CICG Center for Europe and Asia (China Pictorial), shared their suggestions on strengthening exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Indian youth based on their personal experiences.

In his closing speech, Jiang Yonggang, President of the CICG Center for Europe and Asia (China Pictorial), said that the event has further enhanced mutual understanding of young people of both countries about each other's history, culture and social development, and gathered the strength and power of youth for the development of China-India relations.

Jiang said that he hopes young people of the two countries will continue to strengthen exchange and cooperation, and work together towards a better future.