China-Serbia Youth Exchange II Successfully Ends!

During his state visit to Serbia in May 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a plan to "invite 300 Serbian youth to China for study and exchange over the next three years." Responding to the consensus reached by the two heads of state, Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs from Zhejiang Province in Serbia and Minth Group invited 100 Serbian youth to China from August 8 to 17, 2024, to participate in the inaugural China-Serbia Youth International Cultural Exchange Program.

As the new year begins, everything takes on a fresh look. The second China-Serbia Youth International Cultural Exchange Program commenced on January 10, 2025. One hundred outstanding youth from Serbia boarded the historic inaugural direct flight from Belgrade to Shanghai, embarking on a vibrant cultural journey that blended modern development with traditional cultural experiences, injecting new vitality into the deepening friendship between China and Serbia.

During the exchange program, the Serbian youth visited several cities in China, experiencing the diverse characteristics and the charm of the times in each city.

Starting from Jiaxing, the South Lake Revolutionary Memorial Hall embodies the rich red history of China, while the ancient water towns reflect the deep cultural heritage of the country. The visit to Ningbo took the Serbian youth to Zhoushan Port, where they gained a more tangible understanding of China's port transportation capacity and its important role in the Maritime Silk Road. In Hangzhou, the youth not only experienced the artistic and cultural appeal of Zhejiang University but also witnessed the collision and fusion of traditional culture and modern technology through the integration of intangible cultural heritage and digital technology.

The visit to Huai'an included the Journey to the Xiyou World of Adventure, the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, and the ancient He Xie Town, offering a vivid display of China's unique historical and cultural heritage. Serbian youth were able to appreciate the grandeur of China's heroic figures through both fictional legends and real history. Traveling on modern high-speed trains, they also experienced the "rapid" development of China's advanced infrastructure. The journey concluded with free time in Shanghai, where the Serbian youth toured the Bund and felt the unique charm and modern flair of this international metropolis.

During this cultural journey, the Serbian youth immersed themselves in the rich charm of Chinese traditional culture. From the display of intangible cultural heritage to interactive experiences of traditional crafts, they not only learned about ancient Chinese handicrafts such as paper-cutting, calligraphy, and seal engraving, but also participated in tea ceremony experiences and traditional musical instrument performances, experiencing the delicacy and elegance of a thousand-year-old culture.

At the same time, these traditional cultures have gained new vitality with the help of digital technology and modern design. For example, at the welcome dinner, the performance of new Chinese music combined traditional instruments with modern musical elements, breathing new life into ancient melodies. The Journey to the Xiyou World of Adventure used realistic 3D technology to vividly present Chinese ancient myths, allowing the youth to directly experience the creativity and imagination of Chinese culture. This dual experience evokes admiration for the harmonious coexistence of heritage and innovation, and it also allowed the Serbian youth to see the endless possibilities of Chinese culture in the contemporary era.

The Serbian youth visited Minth Group's Future Factory and toured the Minth Group Jiaxing Building, gaining an in-depth understanding of the company's development history and its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) concept and practices. During the "Summit Dialogue" session, they engaged in a deep conversation with Minth Group executives, learning about the company's strategic layout in various fields such as technology R&D, production management, and market expansion.

The youth visited the headquarters of Haitian Group, gaining an in-depth understanding of the company's latest technological achievements in automation and intelligence, and experiencing firsthand the remarkable progress of China's manufacturing industry in technological innovation. At the Zhejiang Information Promotion Conference, they further explored China's cutting-edge development and innovative accomplishments in the field of information technology.

This career enlightenment journey not only helped the Serbian youth gain a deeper understanding of the diversification and sustainable development models of global companies, but also broadened their horizons, inspiring them to reflect on and explore their future career development.

In the China-Serbia Youth Exchange Program, the youth from both countries worked together to overcome language and cultural barriers. Through a series of vibrant exchange activities, they built a strong and warm bridge of connection. From initial shyness to open conversations, they shared their personal growth stories, discussed cultural differences, and jointly envisioned a blueprint for their future dreams.

During the program, the basketball friendship match once again became a highlight of the interaction between the youth from both countries. They wrote an exciting match with their perseverance and determination. It not only showcased the spirit of striving for excellence in sports but also provided both sides with an opportunity to deeply understand each other's sports culture and experience the dual charm of competition and cooperation.

At the same time, the program coincided with the New Year celebrations of both countries, and a special "High-Fun" music party was arranged. In the melodies of music, the youth from both countries transcended cultural and language differences, and their friendship was elevated through dancing together, showcasing the unique charm of "music knows no boundaries."

During the Hometime family day segment, Chinese families warmly welcomed the Serbian youth. From the laughter and joy shared during the park games to the thoughtful care during outings together, every gesture of kindness allowed the Serbian youth to deeply experience the humanistic warmth of Chinese families.

With that, the "Building Dreams Together, China-Serbia Cooperation" , China-Serbia Youth International Cultural Exchange Program II has successfully concluded. During the exchange camp, several Chinese and Serbian youth representatives expressed their profound reflections on the experience. Below are some of their shared insights from the interviews:

This cross-cultural exchange journey has provided the Serbian youth with a more authentic and comprehensive understanding of China. They not only delved into the modern achievements of enterprises and the unique charm of diverse cities but also, through on-site visits and interactive experiences, felt the innovation in technology and the cultural heritage of Chinese society. Throughout various activities, they actively offered ideas and contributed their own efforts.

For the Chinese youth participating in this exchange program, they also continuously broadened their horizons and broke through the limitations of their thinking. From the diverse cultural collisions to profound intellectual exchanges, they learned to embrace differences with an open mindset and, at the same time, confidently showcased China's culture and development achievements to the world. Regardless of background or customs, their shared pursuit of dreams, love for the world, and expectations for cooperation were all the same. As expressed in the guitar performance "Moji su drugovi" by participant Rastko: "My friends are scattered pearls across the world." Through sincere sharing and joint efforts, they not only became friends but also youthful ambassadors of the friendship between China and Serbia, writing a beautiful chapter for future China-Serbia cooperation.