Youth forge stronger ties

For example, Voyah, a leading Chinese brand in the new energy vehicle sector, integrates cutting-edge technology to promote green and low-carbon development.

Victor Alfonso Obiang Ondo Ayetebe, a 28-year-old computer science and technology student from Equatorial Guinea at Beijing Institute of Technology, was particularly impressed by the company's autonomous driving vehicles.

"The car can park itself without the help of the driver, which is amazing. I hope companies like Voyah will expand to countries in Africa, such as Equatorial Guinea, which has good bilateral relations with China," he said.

Rim Dif, 36, an Algerian graduate student at the Shanghai National Accounting Institute, was also captivated by Voyah's innovative approach to combining speed, comfort, and stability.

She discovered that its vehicles can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than four seconds — an attribute typically associated with sports cars — while ensuring safety.

"Integrating this feature into both a seven-seater minivan and an SUV model underscores the level of innovation and technology that Voyah has achieved, especially considering that all of the company's cars are either hybrid or electric," Dif said.

For Nauta, the highlight of the event was visiting the Tribe of the Three Gorges scenic area, where he was touched by the warm hospitality of the Tujia ethnic group at a joyful local wedding.

"We had the opportunity not only to witness their wedding traditions but also to be part of them. I felt like we were one big family with everyone at the wedding," said Nauta.

Chunga was also deeply moved. "Visiting the tribe made me feel connected to the local people and their customs," she said. "The use of music for storytelling reminds me of Zambian cultures, where history and traditions are also preserved through music and storytelling."

For Dif, the most significant takeaway was how exchange activities like this help young people understand each other's visions and see the world from different perspectives.

"No matter how divergent our views may be, our strength and wealth rely on our differences. Hand in hand, we can achieve better and bigger results than we can on our own," she said.