Young voices to the fore as ideas and words are given full power

"The '21st Century Cup' provides a platform for youth of all ages and nationalities to share their thoughts," said Yin, 24, the youth group champion. "The topics of the contest always revolve around social issues and global matters, aiming to inspire participants to boldly express their opinions and encourage critical thinking."

Zhang Qirui, 20, in his third year at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, Hubei province, told of promoting Chinese hybrid rice in Nigeria as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

He faced challenges when local farmers rejected his "advanced methods" and said that "farmland should remain in its natural state as a gift from God". Zhang said he was shocked by what he called their "primitive" views, but his supervisor offered a critical perspective: "They are not lagging behind. They are just different."

Through respectful intercultural dialogue, Zhang and his team eventually reached a consensus with the Nigerians on farming concepts.

China, renowned for its bridge-building skills, is now connecting with the rest of the world and helping produce prosperity and mutual development, Zhang said.

Bridge building is something the"21st Century Cup" has been doing for years. And four years ago its organizers established the Belt and Road Youth English Speaking Competition. This year's event featured more than 30 participants from five continents competing for six spots in the finals.

One of them was Tawanda Mupini, 26, from Zimbabwe, who has lived in China for seven years and is studying medicine at Fudan University in Shanghai.