Young innovators forge global ties
China Daily2024-12-11 13:59
Global youth gather in Beijing to forge paths in economic cooperation, sustainability, and tackling global challenges through entrepreneurship
Participants of the International Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs Associations Work Meeting visit the ITEC Innovation Center in Beijing on Dec 3.CHINA DAILY
What happens when young minds from across the world come together? They spark new ideas, drive change, and build connections that transcend borders.
The International Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs Associations Work Meeting, also known as the Roundtable on International Young Entrepreneurs Economic and Trade Cooperation, was held from Dec 5 to 6 in Beijing.
Jointly organized by the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC) and the International Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs Associations (IAYEA), the conference attracted nearly 100 participants. These included young entrepreneurs from over 20 countries and regions, as well as representatives from foreign embassies in China, chambers of commerce, universities, and international and regional organizations.
Deborah Bottreau, secretary-general of the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council, introduced IAYEA as a global movement for change driven by the energy, innovation, and resilience of young leaders under the age of 45.
"We believe that entrepreneurship is not only an engine for economic growth but also a catalyst for social responsibility, inclusivity, and innovation," she said.
Deborah BottreauCHINA DAILY
Xu Xiao, president of the All-China Youth Federation, addressed the event's theme, "Overcoming Challenges by Win-win Cooperation", in his opening speech.
"This is not only the theme of this conference but also a pressing issue of our time that we all face," he said. "It urgently requires the youth around the world to shoulder the responsibilities of our era and contribute their wisdom and strength to solving global challenges."
One of the key outcomes of the event was the review and approval of the Global South Young Entrepreneurs Partnership Initiative, which focused on four areas: advocating for sustainable development and global green initiatives, removing trade barriers and advancing trade liberalization and facilitation, ensuring the seamless and stable operation of global industrial and supply chains, and fostering the development of the ocean industry and economy and safeguarding marine resources.
These themes were explored in four parallel meetings, each attended by around 20 young representatives who discussed the challenges and opportunities within their respective fields.
William Zarit, chairman of the Global Investment Council from the US, emphasized the contemporary significance of international cooperation on green, low-carbon development.
He highlighted the contributions of Tesla's solar roof products to green energy, BYD's battery technology in green transportation, and Germany's passive houses, which reduce building energy consumption through excellent insulation materials.
Lee Kee Foong, deputy secretary-general of the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council from Malaysia, focused on further cooperation between China and Malaysia in hydrogen energy.
He noted that hydrogen-powered buses developed by Chinese companies are already in use in Malaysia and stressed the need for a hydrogen production and processing plant.
In terms of trade prosperity, Zhang Hang, a representative from the Treasury Department of China's Ministry of Finance, encouraged entrepreneurs to actively participate in government procurement.
He mentioned that government earnings account for about 15 percent of a country's GDP and play a crucial role in the national economy.
He added that the Ministry of Finance has improved transparency and transaction mechanisms to ensure that all business entities, including foreign enterprises, can participate equally in government procurement activities.
Zhang also addressed questions about how to access procurement information from various levels of government through China's official government procurement website, as well as how to seek administrative review or file complaints in cases of dissatisfaction.
Regarding cooperation with industrial and supply chains, the conference highlighted the importance of establishing a shared information base for business projects worldwide.
San Zaw Htet CHINA DAILY
The Myanmar Young Entrepreneurship Association is already taking steps in this direction.
According to San Zaw Htet, a member of the association, Myanmar's information base for entrepreneurs was recently launched on Dec 7. Their next goal is to connect it with a larger, global database.
In discussing his understanding of the conference theme "Overcoming Challenges", he pointed out that a major issue for companies in many Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, is the instability of exchange rates.
"Currently, our cross-border trade typically requires settlement in US dollars, but I have a bold dream that one day ASEAN countries will have a common currency similar to the Euro," he said.
"ASEAN, combined with China, Japan, and South Korea, can be considered a super large economic entity. I have great expectations for closer cooperation and development in this region in the future," he added.
At the parallel meeting on marine industry cooperation, participants engaged in a lively discussion on the cultivation of talents in marine fisheries.
Professor Li Jingyu from Ocean University of China in Qingdao, Shandong province, is leading a joint master's degree program between her university and Kasetsart University in Thailand. Over the past six years, nearly 40 students from ASEAN countries have participated in this program.
She emphasized the significance of university-industry collaboration.
"In the field of fisheries, enterprises often move faster than academia," she said. "Universities can conduct specific research projects or train graduates according to the needs of these enterprises. This not only addresses the talent gap in enterprises but also leverages the financial support from enterprises to provide better education for more young people."
For Li, attending this conference is an invaluable opportunity to establish cooperation between universities and enterprises.
"On one hand, there are voices from many countries and regions here; on the other, it gathers numerous entrepreneurs. I have accessed a wealth of information and resources here," she said.
guiqian@i21st.cn