An international cultural gathering spanning mountains and oceans and uniting the creative energy of young people worldwide is set to begin in Chongqing. Co-hosted by the Western China International Communication Organization Co., Ltd. and Chongqing Land-Sea Media Co., Ltd., the “Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas” International Youth Envoys Annual Event will be held on December 24 at Nanping Experimental Foreign Language Primary School in Nan’an District. Nearly 200 youth representatives, educators, and invited guests from China, North America, Western Europe, and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative are expected to attend. Participants will gather in the mountain city to share the outcomes of international youth cultural exchanges achieved over the past year.

Since its launch earlier this year, the 2025 “Seeking Unity Across Lands and Seas” Global Recruitment of International Youth Envoys has attracted enthusiastic participation from young people around the world. More than 2,000 submissions—including paintings, essays, and speech videos—were received from China, North America, Western Europe, and countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative.

Following a professional review process, 1,000 participants were selected as International Youth Envoys. Among them, 80 received Excellence Awards and 20 received Honor Awards. Through diverse formats and sincere expression, the submitted works reflected young people’s understanding of cultural dialogue and shared human values.

One highlight of this year’s event is the specially curated “New Stars” speech segment. Ten award-winning youth representatives from different countries will take the stage to share the cultural stories behind their works, their creative journeys, and insights gained through cross-cultural exchange. The segment aims to create an open, equal, and inclusive platform for dialogue, offering a glimpse into how the next generation views the world.

Student representatives from Sri Lanka will also present a traditional cultural performance, adding an artistic dimension to the exchange and underscoring the theme of friendship across lands and seas.

According to the organizing committee, the conference is not only a review of achievements over the past year but also a step toward regularizing international youth exchange programs. Organizers hope the annual event will encourage greater youth participation in global dialogue, foster open and inclusive perspectives, and inject fresh energy into people-to-people exchanges and the building of a global community with a shared future.