Youth worldwide recognize China's contributions

International youth demonstrated a widespread favorable attitude toward China and highly recognized the country's accomplishments in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published on Tuesday.

The report, titled "China and the World in the Eyes of International Youth", was released during a parallel panel themed "Shared Future and Youth Actions" at the 9th World Forum on China Studies that kicked off in Shanghai on Monday.

"The report's data is collected from 4,130 interviews across 21 countries, covering younger generations ranging from age 18 to 35," said Sun Ming, vice-president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies. "The study seeks to objectively present international youth's understanding of important topics, such as the relationship between China and the world."

The percentage of youth who hold a positive attitude toward China and China's domestic governance is higher in developing countries than in developed nations, said the report.

International youth's rating of China's domestic governance is overall positive. Those who have been to China or have more understanding of China gave more positive ratings on average, the report said.

International youth demonstrated high desire to visit China, specifically due to attractions of the country's nature sceneries, culture, and local lifestyle.

The report showed that the percentage of youth who want to study in China is higher in developing countries than in developed nations, noting a widespread recognition among international youth in China's participation and performance in global governance, as well as many believing China to be a "contributor to global development".

International youth also expressed widespread recognition of China's accomplishments in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, with those in developing countries having more positive opinions.

In addition, international youth universally recognized the positive significance of building a community with a shared future for mankind and over 60 percent recognizing the personal, national, and global positive significance of learning and exchange between civilizations, said the report.

Themed "The Communist Party of China, China and the World", the 9th World Forum on China Studies was attended by more than 150 scholars and opinion leaders from various fields around the world. Participants discussed the history of the CPC and its political, economic, social, cultural and international significance to China and the world.

The forum consisted of a plenary session, five parallel panels, and five sideline events. Renowned international scholars and experts gave speeches on topics such as China's path to modernization, global governance, the country's 14th Five-Year Plan, and global economic recovery.

The parallel panels were hosted by top Chinese think tanks, including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, and the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.