SZ development amazes Arab youth

Video by Liu Xudong

A youth delegation consisting of 25 young political elites from 13 Arab countries visited Shenzhen from Thursday to Saturday, to take a close look at cutting-edge technologies, enjoy the exciting hustle and bustle of the city, walk into mangrove wetlands, and learn about the fruitful achievements of China’s reform and opening up.

The delegation has been invited to attend a seminar themed “China and Arab Countries Jointly Building the Belt and Road: the Responsibility of Youth,” which was held by the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC from Oct. 15 to today.

Young representatives from Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and other Arab countries visited Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou during their weeklong visit to China.

Some members also attended the thematic forum on people-to-people connectivity of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The delegation visit Futian National Nature Reserve in Futian. Liu Xudong

During their stay in Shenzhen, the delegation visited companies such as BYD, Mindray, Hytera and Tuya, as well as the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve, to learn about the city’s achievements in technological innovation and ecological protection.

Members of the visiting delegation pose for a group photo at the Shenzhen Museum and Contemporary Art and Urban Planning in Futian District. Liu Xudong

The delegation also visited the “Great Tides Surge Along the Pearl River: 40 Years of Reform and Opening up in Guangdong” exhibition at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning in Futian District and explored the Splendid China · China Folk Culture Villages in Nanshan District.

Members of a delegation of 25 young political elites from 13 Arab countries sing a song during a visit to the Splendid China • China Folk Culture Villages theme park in Nanshan District on Saturday. The delegation visited Shenzhen from Thursday to Saturday. Lin Jianping

Arab youth representatives interviewed by Shenzhen Daily expressed similar views: From a small fishing village to a city of technological innovation, Shenzhen’s rise is incredible. Whether it is technological innovation, economic development, cultural prosperity or ecological protection, Shenzhen has demonstrated its unique charm and immense vitality.

Meanwhile, as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, they believed that the initiative has not only laid a solid foundation for win-win cooperation among Belt and Road partner countries and regions, but also promoted common development and prosperity and provided a platform for building a global community of shared future.

SZ trip inspires Arab youths

Safiya Yaqoubi, from Oman

Safiya Yaqoubi

“The Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve is very clean and a very great place. I took a lot of pictures and I want all my friends to know about it.”

“What really impressed me is how China tries to save the natural beauty of the world and how they are conserving nature. Hopefully my country will have the same area like this.”

Nabil Belkass, from Morocco

Nabil Belkass

“I think for Moroccans and Africans, it’s important to see what China has achieved. Here we see the other side of China and the other side of ecological improvements. We are ready to cooperate with China on this level and improve the ecological side of Africa.”

Khasro Ahmed, from Iraq

Khasro Ahmed

“There are so many places that we visited during our stay in Shenzhen. It’s really a very nice and big city. We never expect that Shenzhen would be like that. When I came to Shenzhen, it really surprised me how it was developed.”

Yahya Koshaimah, from Yemen

Yahya Koshaimah

“You can find technology firms, skyscrapers, and also nature reserve in the center of the city. I was surprised to see how the government keeps this amazing place.”

“Shenzhen, in just 40 years, has jumped from the ground up, to become one of the most beautiful and amazing cities in the whole world. This is really amazing.”

Ramy Shihabi, from Palestine

Ramy Shihabi

“I don’t know how to describe it. The Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve is very interesting and very beautiful.”

Mohammed Khalaf, from Kuwait

Mohammed Khalaf

“The benefits of the Belt and Road Initiative will not be only for China. They’re also for the participating countries. The initiative is going to help the Arab world for making peace and for more development.”

Youssef Shawky, from Egypt

Youssef Shawky

“I think for third world countries, the Belt and Road Initiative is an opportunity. We should do what we can to make the most of the initiative.”

Adham Sayed, from Lebanon

Adham Sayed

“We need other ideas to look to our future, to make a better future for humanity. I believe that such kind of initiative and what China offers to the world can give humanity what it needs today.”