The second International Conference on Youth Development in Cities along the Belt and Road Initiative was held in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, to gather the power of youth and outline a blueprint for their future.

Themed "Innovation-driven development, youth creating the future", the conference, which opened on Friday, attracted youth organizations from nine countries — Belarus, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia and Russia.

Fang Wei, vice-governor of Jiangsu, extended a warm welcome to the guests and young friends, saying the Belt and Road Initiative created a vision of common development across regions, connecting countries and building a bridge for international cooperation and exchanges in the new era.

The establishment ceremony of the Belt and Road Urban Youth Organization Cooperation Alliance and the unveiling ceremony of the Belt and Road Cross-border E-commerce International Youth Talent Training Base were also held during the conference.

Eight young entrepreneurs from cities along the New Eurasian Land-Sea Corridor delivered speeches on joint development, and 22 youth organization representatives shared opinions on enhancing understanding and communication among young people in countries connected to the BRI.

Guided by the All-China Youth Federation, the conference was co-hosted by the Jiangsu Committee of the Communist Youth League, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Jiangsu Government, and the Jiangsu Provincial Youth Federation, in collaboration with several domestic and international youth organizations.

The coastal city of Lianyungang is located at the intersection of land and sea routes of the BRI, and has close economic and trade cooperation and frequent cultural exchanges with participating countries.

It has hosted various international economic and trade activities in recent years, such as the China-Europe Freight Train International Cooperation Forum, the Silk Road International Logistics Expo, and the International Logistics Round-Table of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Source: China Daily