The Four Great Inventions are creations from ancient China that are celebrated for their significance, and are seen as a symbol of the country’s great strides in science and technology. The inventions are the compass, gunpowder, paper-making and printing techniques.

A recent video asked young foreigners in China to name these inventions – but their answers took a more creative turn! Alipay, shared bikes and online payment proved to be the top hits. 

The video was made by the Silk Road Research Institute of Beijing Foreign Studies University ahead of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in the Chinese capital, held on May 14 and 15. The forum is a high-profile international meeting aimed at discussing issues relating to the Belt and Road Initiative, a China-proposed trade and infrastructure plan connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road.

The youth interviewed in the clip are from 20 countries along the Belt and Road routes. Other honorable mentions in the video included social messaging app Wechat, online food and delivery services, 4G, chilli sauce Lao Gan Ma, portable chargers, tea ceremonies, and of course, martial arts or kung fu.