Serbian youths enjoy exchange program in Tianjin, Zhejiang

A group of 100 Serbian youths arrived in Tianjin on Friday to begin a 10-day journey through the city, as well as Zhejiang province.

The trip is part of an exchange program that will see China invite 300 young Serbians to visit the country in the next three years.

In Tianjin, the Serbian youths engaged in a forum with young Chinese individuals at the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area.

The forum focused on the roles that youth can play in the Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, they visited the National Maritime Museum of China on Friday.

Their journey will continue in Zhejiang province on Saturday, where they will visit prominent companies such as Alibaba, participate in campus exchanges with universities, and stay with local families to immerse themselves in the local lifestyle.

Luan Jianzhang, director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office in Tianjin, said, "The purpose of this trip is to foster mutual understanding and friendship between the youth of both countries and to strengthen the bonds between Serbia and China."

Lena Lazic, a 23-year-old student from the University of Novi Sad in Serbia, expressed her hope for increased cultural understanding among countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

"It's of vital importance for our country to learn about the green technology from China to accelerate Serbia's development and seize collaboration opportunities with China," she said.

Echoing her, Jovanka Colakovic, a 22-year-old student from the university, highlighted the need for young people in Belt and Road countries to preserve traditions and history to pave the way for a prosperous future.

In addition, she said: "We are experiencing the high speed rail built by Chinese companies for Serbia, which is benefiting the country and reaping economic returns."

The trip was facilitated by the Serbia-China Zhejiang Entrepreneur Association, in collaboration with the foreign affairs offices in Tianjin and Zhejiang.

According to the Serbian students, Aleksandar Vucic, the president of Serbia, told them before the trip that this is an exceptional opportunity to learn something about the origin of the Chinese civilization, as well as how fast China is developing, how modern and organized the country is, and how much Serbia can learn and gain through cooperation, the students noted.