In the last two weeks, I've had the privilege to attend two conferences where I saw the enthusiasm and eagerness to learn of China's young people.
In Tianjin, the 2nd World Intelligence Conference was three days of serious discussions about the role of artificial intelligence, with a special focus on how the internet of things could contribute to building a smart, green, and livable cities. I expected a few hundred people to show up.
▲ World Intelligence Conference. Photo by David Blair
But, to my astonishment, 4000 people, mostly young people in their 20s, were clamoring to get into the convention center well before the opening. This is pure thirst for knowledge.
While in Tianjin, I also had the opportunity to visit the Tianjin University Health Sciences Platform. This five-year-old English language program offers a world-class education in chemistry and biology, leading to a degree in pharmaceutical engineering.
I was impressed by the new facilities and the curriculum, which incorporates hands-on lab research with top-notch faculty. The school offers a free education to foreigners in the program. I wish I were 18 again.
In Changsha, capital of south-central China's Hunan province, I attended the Second International Belt and Road Youth Forum, which brought together young people from 65 countries, mostly in their early to mid-20s, for three days of discussions.
https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=t1340yismx0&width=500&height=375&auto=0
▲ International Youth Forum 2018. Video edited by Nathan Williams
Again, I was struck by the enthusiasm and friendships formed by youth from around the world. Even delegates from countries that are formally hostile to each other, worked in harmony. What an opportunity for the lucky kids who got to attend.
In 2017, Changsha was selected as a UNESCO Cultural City of Media Arts, so much of the work focused on ways to stimulate the arts and media. The city has good reason to be proud of the brand new Meixihu Culture and Arts Center, designed by architect Zaha Hadid.
▲ Meixihu Culture and Arts Center. Photo by David Blair
The astonishingly beautiful building looks like it grew organically from the Earth. Or, maybe it's a spaceship. Take a look at the photos online. It is destined to be a world-famous icon. The investment in this center bolsters Changsha's reputation as a center for media production companies.
I've also been struck by the work ethic and serious enthusiasm of young people who were not able to go to university. For example, at the factory of Sany Heavy Industries, a listed private company in Changsha, workers put together very large construction equipment — so people's lives and the fate of the company depend on them.
▲ Photo by David Blair
These workers, mostly young people, make about 10,000 yuan (1567 dollars) per month, a very good salary in Changsha. In contrast, recent graduates of Changsha's highly-rated universities often earn around 4000 yuan per month. Maybe some youth need to re-evaluate whether attending university is the best path.
I admire the work ethic of the young delivery guys I see in Beijing. Reportedly, there are more than 100,000.
They work many hours every day through the cold winters and hot summers, but they usually seem very cheerful, though always in a hurry. Many of them are saving money so they can return to their hometowns to build their own businesses.
I spent much of my life in Washington, DC, which is dominated by self-important and outright mean cynics, and in US universities, which are now going through their own vicious cultural revolution.
It is so refreshing to see sincere enthusiasm and a real zest for productive knowledge.
About the author & broadcaster
David Blair writes for the international weekly editions of China Daily.
A basket of berries, with love
少年强则中国强 ♥