On 27 November, Gao Yunlong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, Chairman of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and Chairman of China Foundation for Peace and Development, delivered his remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the Aisa Youth Leaders Forum 2021.

The full speech is as below.

Dear young friends, ambassadors, ladies, gentlemen, and friends, 

Good morning.

It is a great pleasure to come to the beautiful seaside district of Nansha, Guangzhou, to attend the Asia Youth Leaders Forum. First of all, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the opening of the Asia Youth Leaders Forum. I would like to extend my sincere greetings and heartfelt thanks to all the guests online and here in person.  

Asian countries are connected by mountains and rivers, and people are close to each other. We have similar historical experience and the same dreams to pursue. In recent years, Asian countries have strengthened solidarity and cooperation to tackle various challenges and difficulties together. Especially when facing the covid-19 pandemic, we have stood by each other and overcome difficulties together, and Asia has become an essential engine for sustainable global recovery. In 2020, Asia accounted for about 39% of the global economy, contributing more than 50% of the world’s economic growth. Young people in Asia played a unique and important role in this process. As youth move up, the times move on. Asian youth have ideals and responsibilities, and they work hard for their countries’ future and their nations’ destiny. This is the most active and vibrant driving force to promote the development of the country and nation. Asian youth uphold justice and safeguard peace. We should constantly promote friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between Asian countries and become a pivotal force on the world stage to maintain peaceful development. In particular, successions of young Asian leaders are leading the trend of the times and making positive contributions to the world, to Asia, and to the development of their countries.  

Ladies and gentlemen,
dear friends,

In today's world, the unprecedented changes combined with the global pandemic make the world's economic recovery difficult and tortuous. At this critical moment in history, young Asian leaders should bravely shoulder the responsibilities of the times and lead the vast number of Asian youths to strengthen their confidence to move forward, set a great ambition, understand great virtue, become a great talent, and take on great responsibilities, creating a new opportunity for Asia that will impress the world. 

This forum is themed “Open and Innovate - Cultivating Asia’s Future through the Strength of Our Youth.” It is an excellent event for the youths from Asian countries to deepen exchanges, build consensus, enhance mutual trust, and deepen friendship. I would like to take this opportunity to share with young friends five points on promoting the development of an Asian community with a shared future by making use of the youth power in Asian countries.

First, adhere to open cooperation and be a promoter of shared prosperity in Asia. Openness is the only way for the further prosperity of human society. Over the years, the reason that the Asian economy has been able to maintain rapid development lies in the development concept of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. At present, China is accelerating the transition to a new development pattern. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEPA) will soon come into effect and be implemented. These will strongly support free trade and the multilateral trading system, give new impetus into the recovery of the world economy, and provide new opportunities for the integrated development of industrial chains along the "Belt and Road". Asian youths must be open-minded and uphold the concept of openness, integration, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation; grasp the opportunity of joint implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative; actively participate in and support Asian countries to expand openness, economic integration, development linkage, and sharing of achievements; and let the sunshine of cooperation dispel the haze of the epidemic.

Second, deepen exchanges and mutual learning and be a linker of world civilization exchanges. Exchange and mutual appreciation are essential requirements for the development of civilization and a meaningful way to promote mutual understanding. Only by continuous exchanges, mutual learning and complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses can a civilization maintain its vitality. People are the best medium for civilization exchanges and mutual appreciation. Asian youth should be good ambassadors of civilization and put the concept of cooperation into the way of getting along with each other. Achieving one's own goal yields gratification. Lending a hand to consummate others' goal doubles satisfaction. Goals of self and others can be unified; thus, the world can be harmonized. With an attitude of equal respect and an approach of embracing diversity, we need to promote exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations and consolidate the humanistic foundation for the community with a shared future. Young people must bring their unique energy and vitality into play. Based on existing exchange and cooperation platforms, we should break through the barrier of epidemic and innovate exchange models, build new bridges of communication, and use comprehensive ways to spread the voice of Asia. Let the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations become the link to maintain world peace, and you can achieve your dreams in writing a new saga of civilization dialogue. 

Third, pioneer and innovate governance and be a leader in promoting the development of Asia. Currently, the latest round of technological revolution and industrial change deepens its development, and technologies of information, biology, and manufacturing are emerging, which provides strong technical support to promote economic growth and deal with challenges such as major diseases, climate change, and natural disasters. Youth are the most energetic, creative, and innovative group. We must take innovation as the pursuit of value; bravely innovate and develop at the forefront; courageously break into no man's land; strive to lead innovation; and try to promote the innovation of organizations, business models, and brands through technological innovation. We need to develop new competitive advantages and generate new development momentum.

Fourth, practice green development and be a pioneer of clean and beautiful Asia. Building a community of life on earth is essential to the sustainable development of human civilization. Asian youth must adhere to the concept of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, help to take care of our Earth together, actively spread the idea of ecological preservation, and strive to practice a green and low-carbon way of production and life. Lead and promote the formation of a society where everyone is responsible for caring for nature. We must adhere to the green transformation and integrate green concepts into modern commercial practices, seize the opportunities brought by carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and take advantage of this momentum. We need to rely on technological innovation and model innovation to create more green value and win the future. We must adhere to green cooperation and make green development the foundation of Asia’s post-epidemic recovery. We also need to actively collaborate in green infrastructure, green energy, and green finance, promoting a more robust, greener, and healthier development in Asia.

Fifth, strengthen the sense of responsibility and be a practitioner to enhance the well-being of Asian people. As the old Chinese saying goes, "When you are able, do benefit the world." Asian youth, in particular, young leaders, must regard the world as our value pursuit. We are here in Guangdong, the hometown of Mr. Sun Yat-sen. At that time, Sun Yat-sen, Liao Zhongkai, and a large number of Cantonese people, of course, including Kang Youwei and others, have made outstanding contributions to China's transition from a feudal society to modern society. They had this kind of lofty ideal and broad mind for the world and for the common good. So, I hope that our young Asian leaders will work hard to create job opportunities, reduce the gap between rich and poor, eliminate social conflicts, and make more remarkable achievements in promoting peaceful development. We must establish an upward outlook on life, values, and wealth; actively participate in the cause of benefiting, comforting, and favoring people, such as poverty reduction and epidemic response in your country and other Asian countries; contribute wisdom to promoting the economic and social development of your country and region; and enhance the well-being of the people of all countries. At the same time, we must act as role models and make the fulfilling of our social responsibilities in the promotion of the happiness of our compatriots, enhancing Asian civilization, and striving for Asian prosperity our eternal pursuit.

Dear young friends,

“An educated gentleman cannot but be resolute and broad-minded, for he has taken up a heavy responsibility and a long course.” Each generation has its mission, and each generation has its responsibility. Asian youths have a great obligation in a great time. I hope everyone will ride the waves and go forward and open up a new world of your own in the tide of the times.

Finally, I wish this forum a complete success. I wish all the youths, young friends of Asian countries, good health and a prosperous career. Thank you.