Oriented on making people closer

Our study tour of China continues, and one of the most memorable stops was Peking University, known as Beida. We have heard a lot about it, but being here is something else entirely. A few words about it.

More Than a University, it is a Legend

We immediately felt why Beida is not just an educational institution, but a real top university in China. Millions dream of studying here, and we understood why. It is a living legend, founded back in 1898, which makes it the oldest university in the country. Just imagine: it is located on the site of the former imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty! We felt how the very walls here breathe history. But Beida does not age, it only grows, develops and is constantly at the forefront of science.

It has the widest range of majors, a huge scientific library, and students come from literally all over the world. Beida is so famous that an asteroid was even named after it - 7072 Beijingdaxue! For those who are looking for cutting-edge knowledge, like-minded people, and want to build a brilliant career, Beida is truly the place to be.

But we didn't come here to study. We were expecting an International Conference designed to unite the hearts and minds of young people from all over the world in defense of peace under the motto of harmony and unity.

Dream of Peace: When Music Erases Borders

The hall came alive from the first minutes when we were shown the short film “Harmony, and We Gather for Peace.” Flickering shots – from blooming sakura to African savannahs – reminded us of the fragile beauty of our common home and its vulnerability.

A silent pause smoothly transitioned into the painfully familiar chords of “Imagine.” We held our breath when the students of Dalian College of Arts began to perform this immortal song by the great John Lennon. Their pure, soulful voices transported us to a utopian world:

“Imagine that there are no beggars,

That this world is nobody’s.

Not greed, and not hunger,

But the brotherhood of all people…”

We, like many others, involuntarily sang along, and at that moment it seemed that the idea of ​​unity, having captured the hearts of young people, was becoming a reality here and now.

The ceremony was opened by Li Hongzhong, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. He read out a message from General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, whose words were simple but powerful: "Young people are the future of the world, and they bear the responsibility for this future."

These words became the leitmotif of the entire day, reminding us of the enormous role each of us plays in creating a better tomorrow.

The theme of peace was continued by first secretary of the Communist Youth League of China, A Dong. He dwelt in detail on the challenges of the era of polarization, calling on young men and women to become a bridge between cultures in the Year of International Peace and Trust proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.

Many were inspired by the speech of Yan Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for the Development of Friendship with Foreign Countries. He drew a clear parallel between the Diary of Anne Frank, which became a symbol of hope in dark times, and the heroic story of the Flying Tigers, the American pilots who fought alongside the Chinese against the Japanese invaders during World War II.

Yan Wanming called on the youth to remember these lessons of history: “The friendship forged in the fire of two world wars is what should inspire us today to confront conflicts and build peace.”

His words were met with thunderous applause, and the determination in the room was almost palpable.

Voices of the World: Our Symphony of Ideas

After the grand opening, young leaders from different countries took the floor, each of whom brought their own unique understanding of responsibility in the fight for a just world to the general conversation about peace.

Representatives from different countries took the floor one after another: the United States, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Kazakhstan, as well as international organizations, including the UN Coordinator in China.

Each speech became a ringing note in the symphony of ideas, where the voices of different countries and continents merged into a powerful call for peace, solidarity and a common future. And it was physically felt that the inspired words, filled with passion and determination, ignited sparks of inspiration in the hearts of the listeners.

And summing up the emotionally charged speeches of the youth of the world, Yan Wanming philosophically and at the same time poetically summarized:

"Peace is not the absence of conflicts, but the presence of friendship."

And these words became a kind of bridge to the next part of the program.

Sparks of Creativity: Songs, Choreography and the Art of Eastern Martial Arts

After the fiery speeches of the young leaders, young representatives of the indigenous people of Australia and New Zealand took to the stage. Their dynamic performance with folk music and dances literally captivated everyone: graceful movements combined with the powerful rhythms of ancient melodies, taking the audience into a world of unfamiliar, but still internally understandable, spiritually close cultures.

One of the performers later shared that these songs are a tribute to the memory of the fallen soldiers of World War II, as well as those who, despite everything, anxiously waited for them at home. And then it became clear to us that it was the awareness of this drama that gave the artists' performance such tangible emotional strength and expressiveness.

This was followed by a discussion with youth leaders, including a representative from Turkmenistan. During a lively discussion, they discussed the topics of peace, cooperation and friendship between nations.

When the participants in the debate were asked to choose one word that would reflect their impressions of the conference, the representative of our country said: "Friendship!"

This word became the perfect symbol of our delegation: each of us found new friends and like-minded people here, with whom, we believe, the connection will continue.

The panel discussion ended with a touching performance by students from Japan's Soka University.

Their performance became a heartfelt symbol of reconciliation between China and Japan – peoples whose history in the relatively recent past was marred by a brutal confrontation. At this moment, we all physically felt that great quality of art, which is capable of healing spiritual wounds and, by forgiving, bringing people's hearts together.

In the final part of the youth forum, the hall was literally blown up by the energy of the authentic West African dance Balakulanjan of the Malinke people, famous for their powerful and mesmerizing drum rhythms. The virtuoso performance created a truly unforgettable atmosphere.

The masters of the legendary Shaolin presented a philosophical show "Seekers of the Path" - a real whirlwind of Chinese martial arts. The audience, as if hypnotized, followed every movement, immersing themselves in the magic of kung fu.

Incredible jumps, lightning strikes, virtuoso fighting techniques and weapon handling, when even an elegant fan turns into a formidable blade - everything is intertwined into a continuous flow of Brownian motion, strictly harmonious and, despite the external chaos, clearly organized.

Masters, from young but already enlightened students to gray-haired mentors, embodied the harmony of the four elements on stage - earth, water, fire and wind, creating an unimaginably mesmerizing spectacle. Their coherence and energy, like a universal dance of cosmic forces, reminded the audience of the unity of strength and spirit in the pursuit of peace throughout the world.

Students from Russia Alexander Golybochkin, Alexey Tarasov and Darya Igolkina performed the folk song "Music Connected Us", filling the hall with warmth and nostalgia.

We especially liked the dance troupe of Fucheng Yingge. And not only for their skill, but to a greater extent, because they came from Guangdong province.

In 2011, a long-awaited event took place - Turkmen natural gas entered Guangdong province via the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline. The official launch ceremony took place in the city of Shenzhen, attended by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who was in China on a state visit.

This event became an important stage in the development of the gas pipeline, as it allowed energy resources to be supplied to one of the most densely populated regions of China.

It was an educational pause, so that important milestones in Turkmen-Chinese relations would not be forgotten...

And now let's return to the dance troupe of Fucheng Yingge from the already familiar to us Guangdong province. The movements of the artists, like the whisper of the wind in ancient groves, intertwined grace and power, captivating the audience with refined harmony.

Each movement of the master, be it a step or a wave of the hand, was imbued with the spirit of heroism and inspired by ancient Chinese tradition. It symbolized the unity of the past and the present, the great and the small, reflecting the universal harmony of the world.

Epilogue: The World is in Our Hands

The forum, which harmoniously intertwined speeches and debates on current topics with the diversity of international performance, was coming to an end at Peking University. It ended somehow quickly and unnoticed by us. Like everything that we like and want to continue. But its spirit remained with each of the participants.

That day, Beida became not just a meeting place for all of us, but a point where the youth of the world united for a common goal. Here, within the walls of the oldest university in the Celestial Empire, ideas were born that, like sparks, will fly around the world, igniting hearts and inspiring action.

And, perhaps, on this day many of us felt that peace is not a dream, but a reality that we can create together.

Dzhumadurdy POTJIMOV,

Enedzhan KEPBANOVA

On the topic

Ni-Hao, China! Salam, Celestial Empire!

When Heaven Whispers and Earth Echoes: A Journey into the Heart of Chinese Traditions

A Waltz of Flowers on the Tips of a Brush: An Introduction to Chinese Art

A Bridge of Generations: How Turkmenistan’s Youth Are Discovering China

Photo: orient.tm