The 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Youth Campus has kicked off in Dunhuang, a 2,000-year-old city along the ancient Silk Road in northwestern China.

More than 30 young representatives from 12 SCO member and observer states took part in the gathering held in Dunhuang City of Gansu Province.
"I think it is very important to cultivate the young people to think with [an] open mind when it comes to China and our relationship. Because China-India relationship is a relationship which dates back to over 2,000 years, and we have strong history of how young people shaped the evolution of China and India's history even before the diplomatic relationship was established between the two countries," said Himadrish Suwan, chairperson of the Confederation of Young Leaders in New Delhi.
Himadrish Suwan said countries should focus on their similarities rather than their differences.
"I think such a platform is the right way to explore mutual avenues of cooperation, removing suspicions and building a garden of friendship where we could together blossom and also realize President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.
It's the seventh Shanghai Cooperation Organization Youth Campus. Since 2016, the annual event has been held in different provinces across China with different themes. But this year, they have for the first time focused on cultural exchange.
"This is the first time for us to hold such a forum focusing on youth culture within the framework of the SCO Youth Council. As the world is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century, the leaders of youths from different countries believe that interaction and integration of civilizations and cultures among different nations and countries are very important for tackling current global challenges," said Xu Xingbang, Executive Director of the International Department of the All-China Youth Federation.
The 8-day youth campus began on Wednesday. After visiting Dunhuang, the delegates will travel to Qingdao, a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province.