From May 28 to 31, at the invitation of the Global Development Promotion Center of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), a delegation of 19 people from the Youth Leaders’ Community for Global Development in China visited Ningxia. The delegation consisted of representatives from 13 countries including Russia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Canada, as well as those from Hong Kong SAR. This visit served as a concrete step in realizing the objectives set forth during the First High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. The young delegates, centering on the theme of “Achieving the Chinese Path to Modernization Based on Harmony Between Humanity and Nature”, have engaged in an extensive exploration of Ningxia’s industrial parks, manufacturing facilities and wineries, and ventured into the Helan Mountains, along the Yellow River, and across the deserts. Through these experiences, they have gained insights into Ningxia’s approaches and achievements in developing specialty industries, advancing ecological conservation, rolling out rural revitalization, and promoting the integration of culture and tourism. Additionally, leveraging their strengths as youth, they sought to enhance friendly exchanges and practical cooperation with Ningxia.

At the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base, the delegates visited the agrivoltaics project and facilities for solar-powered electrolysis for hydrogen production and energy storage. They delved into understanding the key strategies that have enabled regions with abundant natural resources in west China to transit from resource dependency to a development model characterized by green practices, low carbon emissions, and sustainability. This transition has been achieved through a combination of industrial restructuring, ecological conservation, and the harnessing of clean energy sources.

At the Baijitan and Shapotou National Nature Reserves, the delegates observed the remarkable transformation of Ningxia’s arid deserts into thriving oases. This achievement, a testament to Ningxia’s response to climate change and proactive desertification prevention and control efforts, has fostered a green miracle. They also witnessed how the integration of ecological conservation and cultural tourism has brought a new life to the deserts, exhibiting Ningxia’s ingenuity in sustainable development. At the Yuanshi Vineyard, adjacent to the Helan Mountains, the delegation learned about Ningxia’s practices for rehabilitating barren lands in a scientific way and how it has strategically cultivated a wine industry suited to the local terroir and climate.

At the Minning New Image Exhibition Center, the delegates had an in-depth experience of the remarkable transformation of Minning Town from a barren land into a flourishing community. They lauded the poverty alleviation partnership which exemplifies China’s way of fostering prosperity in wealthier regions first, and ultimately driving towards common prosperity for all. The delegation gave a thumbs-up to the Chinese government’s effective utilization of its institutional strengths in poverty alleviation and the pursuit of balanced economic growth.

At the Friendship Night of Youth Leaders’ Community for Global Development, the representatives and their Ningxia counterparts came to a festive gathering, during which they celebrated their friendship, engaged in discussions, and embraced mutual learning. A consensus was reached among the attendees that youth are a vibrant force in propelling global progress and creating a better world. They showed readiness to enhance communication with individuals across all sectors of Ningxia, particularly of the youth community, and to broaden their shared endeavors in practical terms.

Ningxia’s journey to growth is a microcosm of China’s pursuit of high-quality development. Its efforts in pursuing green development, promoting common prosperity, and acting on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) are an embodiment of the concepts of Chinese modernization and a community with a shared future for mankind. The delegation highlighted that Ningxia has made an example for green, sustainable development and common prosperity. What they have experienced in Ningxia offered them a real, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive view of China, and deepened their understanding of the GDI and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. This insight has ignited their enthusiasm to contribute their youthful strengths to sustainable development on the global scale.

Youth representatives from the China House of Foreign-Aid Programs Trainees also participated in the aforementioned activities.