The 5th China-Africa Future Leaders’ Dialogue - Exploring Green Beijing wraps up

The 5th China-Africa Future Leaders’ Dialogue - Exploring Green Beijing was held in Beijing from July 26 to 28. Hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and co-organized by the BPAFFC, the Beijing Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Center (BEEC), and the Tongzhou District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the event was designed to implement the “Partnership Action for Green Development” proposed by President Xi Jinping at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the principle that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Young people from 12 African countries, including Cameroon, Ghana, and Libya, engaged in a dialogue on green development with teachers and students of Tsinghua University and young experts from the BEEC. They together embarked on a journey of exploring “green Beijing.”

During the three-day event, young people from China and Africa paid site visits to Zhifentang Bee Expo Park, Wenyuhe Future Valley, No. 3 Blast Furnace in Shougang Park, NOLO Future Digital Space, the Nanhaizi Milu Park, the “Two Zones” Reception Hall, the Grand Canal Forest Park, the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, and Beijing Library. They were deeply impressed by the beautiful summer scenery in Beijing, the flourishing green industry, extensive applications of low-carbon technology, as well as the concept of harmony between humanity and nature.

In the Nanhaizi Milu Park (also known as the Beijing Biodiversity Conservation Research Center), the visitors observed the habitat of the milu deer up close. They acted as “keepers” and enjoyed intimate interactions with the deer. They also watched the exhibition on the world’s deer species and the science outreach exhibition on the milu deer, and learned about the active efforts made by Beijing in the conservation of the deer populations and biodiversity. They also took a tour to Zhifentang Bee Expo Park, a unique industrial tourism space that integrates industry display, science education, and leisure tourism. Here, through immersive light and shadow experiences and glasses-free 3D digital display technology, the visitors gained an in-depth understanding of the evolution of bees and life on Earth, and got a picture of the achievements of Beijing’s bee industry.

In Shougang Park of Shijingshan District, young people from both China and Africa were amazed at the transformation of old industrial bases and the mind-blowing experiences brought by digital technology. They overlooked the park from the 40-meter observation deck of No.3 Blast Furnace, enjoying panoramic views of the steel plant-turned park. They listened to the story of how the park was created in preparation for the Summer Olympics Beijing 2008 and was further upgraded thanks to the Beijing 2022 Games, and how it has transformed from an “industrial rust belt” to a new landmark of the city. They truly admired the industrial and cultural heritage of the century-old Shougang. In NOLO Future Digital Space, the visitors experienced the immersive VR exhibition “Dream in Tang Dynasty,” traveling back to the Tang Dynasty with the aid of cutting-edge technology. They also got hands-on with lacquered fan making, an intangible cultural heritage, allowing them to experience firsthand the charm of traditional culture.

Strolling around the carbon neutrality themed park of Wenyuhe Future Valley, the young people experienced the joy of low-carbon living through scenario-specific demonstrations and point-based tour experiences. In Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC), they overlooked the Grand Canal from the 35th floor of Yuanyang Ledi Port in Tongzhou District. Staff gave them an introduction about the development of the Grand Canal business district, water environment protection efforts for the Grand Canal, and progress in the building of a national demonstration zone for green development. In the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, they visited the “Beijing and the Grand Canal History and Culture Exhibition,” appreciating the thousand-year cultural heritage and profound culture of the Grand Canal. In Beijing Library, they got an idea of new applications of green technology and were fully alive to the beauty of green buildings in a natural setting evocative of “reading under trees in the forest.”

Visitors in Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC)

The BPAFFC held a welcome event for the Chinese and African youth delegation. The young people broke into loud cheers when enjoying the wonderful performances filled with traditional cultural elements, including Chinese classical dance “Tang Yin” by Beijing Dance Academy, Hebei bangzi and the changing face of Sichuan opera by the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Taiji performance by Beijing Taiji Performance Team, and Wushu performance by Yuanhai Wushu. Before the start of the event, students of Yuanhai Wushu practiced Taiji with African youngsters, teaching them basic movements. The atmosphere was amicable and lively.

Zhang Qian, Executive Vice President of the BPAFFC, and Wang Yanxia, Vice President and Senior Councilor of the BPAFFC, attended the event.