On March 11, Liu Aiping, Party Secretary of the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC), met with a delegation led by Erik Solheim, Co-Chair of the Board of the Europe-Asia Center.

Liu welcomed Solheim on his visit and briefed the delegation on the World Youth Development Forum and the Action Plan for Global Youth Development organized by the All-China Youth Federation and international cultural exchange activities for youth organized by the CIYEC.

The year 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European Union (EU), which saw comprehensive resumption of exchanges and dialogues at all levels, according to Liu. She expressed the hope that the two sides take this occasion as an opportunity to establish long-term cooperation mechanism for China-EU youth communication, actively carry out cooperation in culture and sports, talent cultivation, environmental protection for public good, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship, enhance China-EU youth exchanges, and facilitate practical cooperation outcomes through joint actions in key areas.

Solheim, also former under secretary general of the UN and former executive director of the UN Environment Program, said that the Europe-Asia Center is dedicated to enhancing communication and mutual understanding between the EU and Asian countries as well as deepening exchanges between Chinese and European youths. The center agreed to the CIYEC’s proposal and would like to work together with the CIYEC in the abovementioned areas, he added.

Jia Tiesong, Deputy Director of the CIYEC, as well as heads of the International Training Department and the Public Service and Cooperation Department of the CIYEC, also attended the meeting.