"As an important part of people-to-people diplomacy, Chinese young people's exchanges with foreign youngsters are positive in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship in order to push ahead state-to-state relations," said Jiang Guangping, who is in charge of CYLC international affairs.
"Young people play a vital role in developing friendly relations between two countries," said Liu Jiangyong, professor from the Beijing-based Tsinghua University. "Youth exchanges help to carry out the goal of building a harmonious world, a concept the Chinese president put forward at the 2005 UN Assembly."
A 100-strong Russian youth delegation came to China this year to attend a forum on China-Russia youth friendship.
Four hundred young French people in art, commercial, social and scientific fields came to China, the largest and first of its kind between China and any western European country.
The year 2006 also marked the 50th anniversary for Sino-Japanese exchanges between young people and a series of exchange activities were held in both countries.
Tanimoto Tatsuya, a Japanese official who participated in these activities, said he would actively promote dialogue and exchanges between young politicians of the two countries.
Liu believes that the future development of state-to-state relations depends on inter-personal interaction, especially between young people.
"Only if the young people get to know each other better and clear up any misunderstandings, bilateral ties will progress, and a harmonious world can be achieved," he said.
Some 500 young people from Pakistan and India will have a chance to visit China in the next five years.
"Youthful vigor and dynamism are the most powerful resource in forging ahead friendly relations between two countries," Liu said. "The future of the world rests on young people who will decide the development of a nation's long-term strategy."
(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2006)
