A big festival will be held for children from the Belt and Road countries in Beijing on the eve of the International Children’s Day, to foster mutual understanding and cultural exchange, said an organizer of the event.

With a series of activities such as singing workshops, arts and cultural heritage exhibitions and a robots performance, the event will host over 700 Chinese and international children living in Beijing. “Our program brings young people of various backgrounds together”, explained Chen Aimin, Head of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department at China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), a Beijing-based NGO which initiated the event.

"Paying special attention to and providing service for youth development has always been one of the three guiding principles at CSCLF,” said Chen. “We hope the event can help international children to better understand the Chinese culture and our country’s development, and that they will return as cultural ambassadors for China to their home countries.”

CSCLF hopes the event will start a tradition, and that it will continue to be held annually to serve as a platform for youth exchanges.“Young people need continuous care and attention in their development”, explained Chen.

Other multilateral exchanges organized by the organization also aim at forming bonds among the youth of different countries and regions, and include the "SCL Cup" China-ASEAN Youth Football Friendly Matches and the International Youth Summer School.