Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the World Youth Conference for Peace on Tuesday through a written message, urging the younger generation to take the lead in protecting global peace and fostering international understanding.
The event, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the All-China Youth Federation, carried the theme “Together for Peace” and marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Xi reminded the attendees that peace was hard-earned through global unity against fascism eight decades ago.
In his message, President Xi emphasised that the youth are the guardians of the future of peace. He called on young people from all nations to use the conference as an opportunity to engage in dialogue, deepen cultural understanding, and forge strong international bonds. He encouraged them to contribute to peaceful development and work toward building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Xi further underscored that, 80 years after the war’s end and the founding of the United Nations, humanity is once again at a critical crossroads. He pointed out that in this era of fast-paced global changes, the path of cooperation and dialogue must prevail over division and confrontation.
The “World Youth Peace Initiative,” released during the conference, echoed Xi’s message. It called on young people worldwide to be defenders of peace by resisting war, violence, unilateralism, and protectionism. The statement stressed that youth must uphold the international order rooted in law, safeguard the UN’s role, and practice true multilateralism.
The initiative also urged youth to become bridges between civilizations, promoting inclusivity through mutual learning and cultural exchanges. It advocated win-win cooperation as the basis for peace and encouraged young leaders to actively support the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Additionally, the document addressed climate change, calling on youth to actively participate in efforts to protect the planet. It also encouraged responsible innovation in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, promoting technology that benefits all of humanity.
President Xi concluded his message by reflecting on the legacy of those who fought for peace 80 years ago and called on today’s youth to honour that legacy through action. He reaffirmed the importance of global unity and invited young people to take the 80th anniversary as a new starting point to build a peaceful and shared future.
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