Youth bridging green futures across China and Latin America

In the vast salt flats of Catamarca, Argentina, the first rays of morning sunlight illuminate the expansive landscape of the highlands. Gabriel Molina, a young politician, stands before the soon-to-be-operational lithium project, gazing at the distant salt flats and the emerging industrial site. This is not merely a part of Argentina's energy transition, but a cross-border green revolution, pooling wisdom and strength.

Catamarca is located in northeastern Argentina. It is rich in lithium, gold, copper and other mineral resources. In recent years, cooperation between Catamarca and Chinese companies such as Zijin Mining Group and China Power Construction in renewable energy and lithium projects has deepened, promoting significant local economic development. "Some Chinese enterprises have not only created numerous local job opportunities, but also provided international growth platforms for local youth," said Molina, the advisor on International Trade and Regional Integration Logistics at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Civil Works, Argentina.

In February 2022, China signed a memorandum of understanding with Argentina to promote the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Immersed in the wave of Sino-Argentine cooperation brimming with opportunities, Molina feels deeply inspired by the technological advancements and the potential for significant economic growth. In fact, with the steady increase in cooperation between China and Latin America in recent years, collaboration in green development has also become more frequent. Molina is far from being the only one with high hopes for green development between China and Latin America. Many young people from Latin America have had the opportunity to visit China through various cooperative projects, witnessing China's transformation firsthand.

In the 2023 "Bridge of the Future" China-Latin American Young Leaders Training Campus, youth leaders, media professionals and organization heads from nine Latin American and Caribbean countries visited cities such as Beijing, Jiangxi and Shanghai. They exchanged views with their Chinese counterparts on topics like cultural exchange, the digital economy, environmental protection, rural revitalization and youth development. Among the participants, Jean Carlos, an advisor to the Secretary of the National Congress of Honduras, visited Mayuan Village in Ji'an City of east China's Jiangxi Province. In recent years, Mayuan Village has explored a green path to rural revitalization by promoting tourism and developing green industries. Carlos was deeply touched, remarking that China's rural areas are following a tailored approach to integrating various resources and advancing rural revitalization while focusing on the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, an experience that other countries could learn from.

It was Carlos' first visit to China. He said his knowledge of China had been limited to media and online content. Setting foot on this land, he truly experienced China's development. After visiting enterprises like iFlytek, he expressed his admiration for China's focus on innovation-driven growth and its extensive use of technological advancements in sectors like environmental protection and public health to improve people's welfare. "I am eager to see closer cooperation between China and Honduras in high-tech sectors, which would allow more Honduran people to benefit from technological innovation."

Grecia Colmenares, secretary-general of the the United Socialist Party of Venezuela Youth, also took part in this exchange event. Colmenares has been a vocal advocate for youth involvement in policy-making, particularly in areas of environmental justice and social equity, which made her perspective on this exchange especially significant. She said her journey to China taught her the importance of providing platforms for young people in poverty reduction and various other fields. Additionally, she emphasized enhancing theoretical education and training systems for youth, and promoting environmental protection alongside economic and social development. She plans to bring these lessons back to Venezuela. "I hope that the exchange between Chinese and Latin American youth will be like a lamp, illuminating our shared future," said Comenarles.

China's green development also left a deep impression on Nadia Beatriz Martins Garcia Pereira, national secretary of the Youth League of the Workers' Party of Brazil. She said that even before coming to China, she was already familiar with the ecological philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." This exchange gave her a chance to delve deeper into China's environmental protection practices. Beatriz believes that China has been a key contributor to global sustainable development, actively cooperating with other nations in combating climate change. China's experience in building an ecological civilization offers significant lessons for Latin American countries.

Brazil officially assumed the one-year presidency of the G20 in December 2023, with the motto "Building a just world and a sustainable planet." This aligns with the commitment of both Brazil and China to fostering sustainable development and contributing to global efforts toward green transformation.

(Zhang Yuying also contributed to the story.)