Themed “Youth Creativity to Promote Intercultural Dialogue and Tackle Global Challenges,” the 2022 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage Along the Silk Roads was held both in-person and virtually on December 15, 2022.

Vice Minister of Education Tian Xuejun attended the event and gave a speech. Tian said extensive exchange of ideas and culture among peoples is essential for the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and exchange among young people from different countries is especially important. Tian said young people should more actively engage in cross-cultural dialogue, heritage protection and redevelopment. He pointed out that measures should be taken to promote digitalization and the use of the Internet and artificial intelligence. He also said the forum should serve as a platform for better introducing the Belt and Road Initiative to the world. He said he hoped we will jointly commit to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and building a community of common destiny for mankind.

Other senior officials attending the event included Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, Zheng Jianxin, Mayor of Changsha City, and Xia Xinmin, Mayor of Nanjing City. About 90 young people from 44 countries including China, Thailand, Kazakhstan and Nigeria attended the forum and exchanged ideas.