A two-week long Bangladesh-China Youth Camp began in Yunnan University on August 26 for the third time, aiming to strengthen people-to-people contact and cultural bonding between the two countries.

A 158-member Bangladesh youth delegation is taking part in the Bangladesh-China Youth Camp 2019, said Zha Mingwei, Attache at the culture section of Chinese Embassy, Dhaka.

The first team, comprising 74 Bangladeshi youths, reached Kunming on August 25 while the second one, comprising 84 young people, joined them on August 26.

The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka says this year's youth camp is just as "exciting and interesting" as usual.

During their visit, the young people will go to see the tranquil and beautiful capital city of Kunming, the charming ancient town of Dali, the diversified ethnic cultures as well as the warm and welcoming people in Yunnan.

Apart from the scenic views, there will be lessons on the Chinese language, Chinese calligraphy and Chinese martial arts, and an experiencing session in local primary and middle schools arranged by Yunnan University, said the Embassy.

In 2016, during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit, he had a "fruitful" meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation agreements, including the plan to invite 600 Bangladesh youths to visit China in the next four years.

Between 2017 and 2018, there were already 300 of them who visited China under the youth camp, according to the Chinese Embassy.

Some of the previous participants studied Chinese language, and have been granted scholarships for further education in China.

On the first day, Bangladeshi youths, as part of Bangladesh-China Youth Camp 2019, have visited beautiful, green Yunnan University campus. The Yunnan University is considered as an important bridge and window for China's opening up to the Southwest regions in technology, education and culture.

They spent good times at the nearby campus lake, took part in traditional games and visited different parts of the vast campus. The participants got introduced with students of the Yunnan University and made friendship with them.

Source of Power to Take Dhaka-Beijing Ties Forward

Newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said young people are not only the future of a country but also the source of power that drives the Bangladesh-China relations forward.

"Communication among the younger generation is a key part of our people-to-people exchanges," he said while addressing a group of youths at the orientation programme of '2019 Bangladesh-China Youth Camp' at the Embassy on August 22.

Vice-Chancellor of North South University Atique Islam, Chairman of Shanto-Mariam Foundation Md Imamul Kabir Shanto, Chairman, Bangladesh-China Friendship Centre Delwar Hossain, CEO of RTV Syed Ashik Rahman, Additional Inspector General, Bangladesh Police Abdus Salam, senior education officer of Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO Farhana Yasmin Jahan were also present.

Ambassador Jiming said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made a successful state visit to China last month and signed a series of bilateral cooperation agreements in economy, science and technology, investment, culture and people-to-people exchanges, charting the course for the bilateral relations and friendly exchanges between China and Bangladesh.

He said the frequent high-level visits between the two countries have infused new momentum and vitality into Bangladesh-China-Bangladesh friendship.

The Ambassador said Chinese President Xi Jinping once said that the future of the world is in the hands of the younger generation who are filled with vigor and full of dreams.

Towards the participants of the youth camp, the envoy hoped that they could take this opportunity to get a close look at China, experience Chinese culture, make Chinese friends, and become envoys for China-Bangladesh friendship.

"China and Bangladesh are good neighbours, friends and partners," the Ambassador said.

The year 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of China, and the following year will commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-Bangladesh diplomatic ties.

Ambassador Jiming said it comes with great significance and profound impact that the camp members are visiting China at such a critical time in the history of the development of China-Bangladesh relations.

"I hope you could make more efforts to contribute to the friendship between China and Bangladesh," he said wishing the participants a safe journey, and a wonderful stay in Yunnan.

AKM Moinuddin contributed to this report from Dhaka