Guangzhou, November 24 (Youth.cn), (Reporter Li Huaxi) "By participating in this activity, I’ve gained not only knowledge and shooting skills, but friendship with peers from different countries. I truly fell in love with this modern city of Guangzhou." After a 4-day short video creation journey, TEP CHANPANHA, a young creator from Cambodia, expressed his feelings, "I'd like to record my wonderful moments in Guangzhou to showcase what I saw here through this short video."
Recently, the Guangzhou culture exploration activity prior to the “Touching Civilization - Asian Youth Creator Conference” hosted by China Youth Daily, and organized by China Youth Network, has been held. Five young people from Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan, and Vietnam experienced a low-carbon and environmentally friendly lifestyle in Guangzhou, a flower city combining cyberpunk and humanity, and recorded its technological charm through cameras.
Young creators were taking a driverless minibus. (Photo by Li Huaxi, a reporter of China Youth Network)
Experience urban ecological modernization through technological innovation services
Walking in the streets of Guangzhou, you can often see forests and green trees, as well as “smart and environmentally friendly black technologies”, which makes Guangzhou an environmentally friendly and technological city.
The Carbon-Neutral Theme Park, a former “garden waste treatment plant”, has been transformed into an environmentally friendly site through creative upgrading. MENGHWAR NADIA KUMARI, a young creator from Pakistan, concerned herself with Guangzhou’s green technology. At the theme park in Yuexiu Park, she saw that the water recycling system here could turn used water and rainwater into water that can be used to raise fish and vegetables, saving a lot of water resources.
Leaving the theme park, MENGHWAR NADIA KUMARI felt that the seemingly “high-end” term of carbon neutrality had become easier to understand. She said that no matter which country you come from or where you are, you can make a contribution to the earth in your daily life, “such as cycling, turning off lights when leaving and using non disposable utensils.”
At the Guangzhou International Biological Island, the creators took an unmanned minibus and realized the maturity of autonomous driving technology through its smooth and safe operation. “In addition to the minibuses, the sanitation vehicles are also driverless. It’s so amazing, and it seems like I’ve traveled to the future,” raved PARICHAT SAEHYANG, a young creator from Thailand.
Perceive modernized life by bringing concepts into practice
At the International Guide Dog School, the creators learned about the routine and process of guide dog training. In Guangzhou, guide dogs can guide the visually impaired to take buses, subways, online car-hailing and other means of transportation smoothly. Vietnamese youth TRAN NGOC TRA MY said, “I heard that Guangzhou has also launched a special guide dog themed bus, allowing more people to learn about visually impaired people and guide dogs. I deeply felt the humanistic care of Guangzhou for visually impaired people.”
Waste becomes goods in the sustainable goods space. The bags made from plastic bottles, vases made from discarded plastic waste in refrigerators through 3D printing, and tableware made from coconut shells and melon seed shells have shown young creators more possibilities for environmental protection. GUL SAMMI, a young creator from Pakistan, said that she was most surprised by the recycling of plastic bottles, “I never thought plastic bottles could turn into such a beautiful bag.” She believes that sustainability is not only a concern for businesses, but for people’s daily life. “I gradually awakened to the realization that many of our daily necessities can also be environmentally friendly.” The rise of second-hand market in Guangzhou also reveals that circular economy and sustainable living have become a daily routine for many people here.
Young creators were shooting videos in the second-hand market. (Photo by Li Huaxi, a reporter of China Youth Network)
The history, culture and life of a city can often be reflected in its food. In Guangzhou, morning tea doesn’t have to be enjoyed in the morning. Instead, you can chat with your old friends in the tea house for hours at any time of the day with a pot of hot tea and dishes of snacks. On Shameen Island, a group of elderly music lovers were playing Cantonese songs with different instruments on the square, making the creators couldn’t help but hum along with the rhythm. PARICHAT SAEHYANG, the young creator from Thailand, had not yet left Guangzhou when she began to miss it. “I love the modernization and beautiful scenery here. I wish I could work here in the future!”
A total of 30 young creators from 14 Asian countries, including China, were invited to the event, and the preliminary culture exploration activities were held simultaneously in 5 cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Guizhou, Chengdu and Xi'an. Through activities such as culture exploration, video creation, and conference exchanges, young people will deepen their understanding of China and impression of Chinese civilization.
