Editor's note: Chinese President Xi Jinping urged young people to take the lead in key areas including scientific and technological innovation, rural revitalization, green development and social services in a recent article published on Qiushi Journal. As China celebrates Youth Day on May 4, CGTN presents a three-part series recounting the stories of young individuals contributing to the country's modernization across various sectors.

Ahead of China's Youth Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping once again encouraged the country's youth to work hard and contribute to Chinese modernization in a letter replying to a group of volunteer teachers working at a remote border school in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

This year's Youth Day, which falls on Sunday, marks the 106th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement—a monumental youth movement that ignited profound social change in China.

In his letter, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, praised the spirit of dedication and the sense of responsibility shown by young volunteers who have chosen to serve in China's western regions and rural areas.

He urged the young people to stand firm in their ideals and convictions, cultivate patriotism, develop outstanding skills and work hard to contribute to Chinese modernization.

Xi is a true friend of young people. On numerous occasions, he has encouraged them to pursue their dreams, work diligently and act as bridges between different cultures and civilizations.

Pursuing self-development, contributing to the society

Last week, Xi visited the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, a large-model incubator that houses over 100 tech enterprises.

During the visit, he joined a salon themed around the autonomous evolution of next-generation intelligent agents, engaging in discussions with young innovators whose average age is under 35. Xi said "AI is a nascent industry, and it's also an industry that belongs to young people."

Stressing that technological development is closely tied to Chinese modernization, the building of a strong nation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Xi encouraged young people to connect their personal development with the nation's future and destiny and contribute to Chinese modernization.

"We place our hopes on you," Xi told the young entrepreneurs.

At a symposium on the private economy held in February, Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of the robotics company Unitree Robotics, was the youngest participant. Xi told him, "The country's innovation needs the contributions of the younger generation," acknowledging his role in technological development.

Beyond inspiring young entrepreneurs, Xi also emphasizes the importance of education. In the past year, he visited the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Hunan First Normal University in Changsha, the capital of central China's Hunan Province.

At MUST, Xi inquired in detail about students' majors, research areas, and daily life. He encouraged them to make the most of their time at university and absorb as much useful knowledge as possible. He also urged them to set lofty aspirations, align their futures with the nation's destiny and strive to realize their personal value.

At the university in Changsha, Xi emphasized the crucial role schools play in fostering moral character and guiding students to serve the country. He encouraged them by saying: "China is comprehensively advancing the building of a strong nation and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. You young people are stepping onto the stage at just the right time."

Promoting mutual understanding among civilizations

Xi is not only a friend to Chinese youth; he also places great importance on fostering mutual understanding among young people around the world. He believes that youth are the leaders and builders of humanity's future, and that only when they view the world with an open mind can different civilizations coexist in harmony on this planet.

"The world's future belongs to the younger generation. As long as the global youths harbor ideals and stand ready to assume responsibility, there is hope for humans and unceasing strong force to promote the lofty cause of peace and development of human beings," Xi said in a message sent to the 9th UNESCO Youth Forum held in October 2015.

For instance, to promote mutual understanding between China and the U.S., in November 2023, Xi announced that China would invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over the following five years. By the end of 2024, about 14,000 young Americans had already visited China, according to Xie Feng, Chinese ambassador to the U.S.

In July last year, after a group of young Americans — the "Shared Journey of Friendship" U.S. Youth Exchange Delegation — arrived in China, Xi sent them a message in which he expressed the hope that they could form strong friendships with Chinese youth and become bridges of mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.

Lynn Eisenhower, a music teacher at Lincoln High School was among the group. She said that "it's so important for them to meet each other personally, and not have their ideas about each other come from other people, but from their own experiences," adding that Chinese and American students have a lot in common and that both countries need to have them "understand that they need to work together to solve the problems in our world."

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