VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Xiamen: The ASEAN-China Youth Exchange Camp, held from August 26 to 31, 2024, in Xiamen, China, successfully concluded, marking another milestone in the over 30-year partnership between ASEAN and China. The event, sponsored by the ASEAN-China Cooperation Funds, was hosted by the ASEAN Foundation and Xiamen University, with support from the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN.

Centered around the theme "Digital Economy: Fostering ASEAN-China Partnership through Digital Economy Cooperation for Sustainable Economic Growth," the camp aimed to strengthen relations and understanding among young people from ASEAN countries and China. It featured a series of lectures, discussions, and experiential learning activities, focusing on topics such as "China's Digital Economy Development" and "China's Smart Governance and Development." Participants also engaged in discussions on "Digital China Today" and "China-ASEAN Relations in the Era of Digital Interconnectivity."

Beyond the academic exchanges, the youth participants were immersed in cultural experiences, visiting Xiamen University, digital companies, traditional fishing villages, World Heritage sites, and projects showcasing China's cultural heritage. These visits provided the participants with a deeper understanding of China's rapidly developing digital economy and the evolving China-ASEAN relationship in the digital age.

Professor Zhang Miao, Vice Dean of the School of International Relations / Research School for Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University, emphasized the significance of the event: "2024 is the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and we hope that through this Youth Exchange Camp, young people from China and ASEAN countries can better understand each other, providing new energy for the development of China-ASEAN relations in the future."

The camp also featured notable participation from Indonesian students, including Arrizqy Nadya Khairunissa Yulianto from the University of Indonesia and Yulianty from Tanjungpura University. Their involvement underscores Indonesia's commitment to strengthening cooperation with China in the digital economy and finding innovative solutions to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN.

The ASEAN-China Youth Exchange Camp succeeded in building bridges of mutual understanding and friendship between young people from both regions. The event is expected to contribute significantly to the development of digital economic cooperation, particularly between Indonesia and China, as both nations continue to deepen their strategic partnership in the digital era./Xiamen University-Surinah/VOI/Ofra