From August 23 to 27, a delegation of European youth leaders visited Ningxia. The delegation, consisting of 27 young individuals from 24 European countries, gained insights into Ningxia’s development, focusing on advantageous and speciality industries, desertification control, rural revitalization, and the promotion of ethnic unity through on-site visits. A deeper understanding was gained of Chinese modernization, coupled with an in-depth experience of traditional Chinese culture.

During their stay in Ningxia, the delegation explored the Minning New Image Exhibition Center, the Changcheng Garden Residential Community in Jinfeng District, and the Hemei E-commerce Workshop. They witnessed the path towards shared prosperity through collaborative efforts between Fujian and Ningxia and the vibrant tableau of ethnic unity symbolized by “people of different ethnic backgrounds living together like the tightly-knit seeds of a pomegranate.” They also visited the Baijitan National Nature Reserve in Lingwu City, for an observance of Ningxia’s commitment to applying the ideal that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” and its exemplary green development of ecological conservation that features “the historic transition from desert displacing human settlement to green oases replacing desert with solid shelterbelts in place.” They were able to see firsthand the harmony between humanity and nature. Additionally, the delegation visited the Ningxia Wolfberry Goji Industry Company, the Paddy-Fish Space Ecopark, Yuanshi Vineyard, and Jade Vineyard. They saw the dynamic strides Ningxia is taking in advancing high-quality development of its advantageous and specialty industries. The delegates were unanimous in their admiration for China’s endeavors to enhance the wellbeing of its people, making sure no one is left behind, and the promotion of common prosperity. They were deeply impressed by the ingenuity and resolve of the Ningxia people in ecological conservation and environmental governance, and pledged to share Ningxia’s story with their compatriots, to boost the awareness and understanding of Ningxia and act as bridge-builders in China-Europe relations, promoters of people-to-people friendship, and advocates for cultural exchanges.

On August 26, co-hosted by the Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office, the Sixth European Youth Leaders Workshop, attended by the delegation, came to its closing session. Bai Yuzhen, Director-General of the Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office, and officials from the Department of European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present, with remarks addressed to the attendees.