Global dialogue: Young people a new engine for a global Wuxi

Youth, a driving force of social, economic and cultural advances, has been playing a pioneering role in promoting global sustainable development.

A recent online dialogue among young people worldwide has gone viral. Themed "Wuxi Dialogue Linking Youth", the exchange has sparked passionate discussions among young talent working and living in Wuxi and their peers across the world. They specialize in areas such as science and technology, art and environmental protection. Topics include urban modernization, internationalization and youth development.

Hello, Wuxi!

Green development is a global issue and wonderful vision for all mankind. The topic was repeatedly mentioned during the dialogue. In 2020, Wuxi, in eastern China's Jiangsu province, first proposed the goal of building itself into a Zero-Carbon City.

Yan Qing was deeply impressed by the city's commitment to addressing climate change. After graduating from Tsinghua University, he chose to move to Wuxi through an open selection program for needed talent. As soon as he took office, Yan Qing was entrusted with an important task, exploring the path to build a Zero-Carbon City. His research received great attention at home and abroad and was published in an authoritative international journal. He has achieved a lot in his career for his outstanding performance.

"Wuxi has beautiful natural ecology and an amiable environment for talent growth," Yan Qing said. "Trust and encouragement for young talent have endowed me the opportunity to grow up together with this city."

As the most dynamic and innovative group, young people are most concerned about innovation and entrepreneurship.

Lu Xinyi, a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, said, "Wuxi is the birthplace of China's national industry and commerce, and innovation and entrepreneurship are in the genes of this city."

She started working on entrepreneurial projects while working on her degree and worked at a venture capital incubator in New York. Lu Xinyi said that Wuxi is willing to provide a broad stage for young people who are eager for challenges and opportunities and thus has unlimited potential.

In 2021, Wuxi's per capita GDP ranked first among large and medium-sized cities in China. After joining the Wuxi Industry Development Group through the open selection program, Lu Xinyi has been independently responsible for the investment analysis of more than 10 key projects involving multiple emerging industries in less than two years. She believes that with the strong development of science and technology, Wuxi will make a big difference in the new information technology industry.

The youth of the world also care about a city's human touch apart from its promising development prospects.

Yue Yunxiao, a candidate of the open selection program, often expresses his fondness for the friendliness of Wuxi, a city always at the top of the annual list of China's happiest cities. When he was unable to return home during the Spring Festival last year, Yue Yunxiao still felt the warmth and comfort of home under the care of his leaders and colleagues. Now, as a member of the Wuxi Youth Volunteer Group, he continues to spread friendship and goodwill to make Wuxi a hometown for non-natives.

When asked about the most attractive feature of Wuxi, Han Shutong, a graduate of University College London, said, "Wuxi is open and inclusive. Here young people can get together with like-minded people who develop a sense of belonging and find something new and interesting." She came to Wuxi thanks to the open selection program and became a teacher in a provincial key middle school.

"When I have a little spare time, my friends and I like to enjoy a cup of coffee decorated with an opera mask art on top in Wuxi Opera Museum, and we can also enjoy the new art supported by technologies such as VR and AR in Wuxi Studios," said Han Shutong.

As the birthplace of Wu culture, Wuxi enjoys a profound foundation and is keeping up with the changing times, where traditional culture and modern art complement each other. In scenes of smiling Huishan clay figurines, Wuxi embroidery, juicy peach and Yangxian tea, young people warmly greet the world and enjoy their sweet life in Wuxi.

City development offers more opportunities for the youth, while youth also plays a vital role in city development. Wuxi has had a strong aspiration for attracting young talents through the existing open selection program for the past four years.

More and more youth stay in Wuxi for its unlimited opportunities for success, inclusiveness and genuine care. With acclaimed social status and diverse development opportunities, every youth strives to work hard in the city. They can be seen in various fields and are a powerful engine for Wuxi, a charming and dynamic city of innovation facing the world and the future.