The International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) on Thursday (12 March) hosted a high-level exchange titled “CPC in My Eyes: A Dialogue with Youth of Neighboring Countries,” bringing together nearly 100 youth leaders, think tank experts, media representatives, international students, and enterprise delegates from 15 South and Southeast Asian countries.
The event, held in Beijing, featured keynote addresses by Liu Haixing, Minister of the IDCPC; followed by the speech by leaders and delegates from South and South East Asia. Youth representatives from Pakistan, Bhutan, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Maldives, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, India, and Indonesia participated in the dialogue.
Participants reported that their firsthand observations of China’s development across multiple regions reinforced their understanding of the CPC’s governance philosophy. Many noted the tangible implementation of people-centered policies, the advancement of whole-process people’s democracy, and the Party’s consistent prioritization of public welfare.
Delegates particularly commended China’s strategic investment in youth development—including support for innovation, entrepreneurship, and vocational education—as a model worthy of regional reference. Several expressed interest in deepening institutional exchanges with the CPC to enhance objective understanding of China among young people in their home countries.
Nepal’s Manisha Shrestha Shares Personal Reflections on CPC Governance
Manisha Shrestha, the coordinator of Nepal’s “Friends on the Cloud: Platform of Influencers,” delivered a widely noted speech sharing her transformative experiences during visits to Beijing and Yunnan Province.
“I no longer see China’s development merely as a Chinese story; I see it as a global blueprint for governance that puts the people in the center,” Shrestha said.
She highlighted three key impressions about China from her observations. In Yunnan, Ms. Shrestha witnessed relocated families benefiting from poverty alleviation policies—access to healthcare, efficient service centers, and revitalized communities. “It was a lived experience of what a ‘better life’ actually feels like,” she noted. Similarly, reflecting on General Secretary Xi Jinping’s early grassroots experience, Shrestha observed how China’s system enables young officials to translate national vision into local impact. “In China, youth are given the stage to realize their ambitions,” she said, contrasting this with infrastructure gaps facing Nepali youth. And finally, Ms. Shrestha pointed to China’s anti-corruption efforts—including the resolution of 36,000 duty-related crime cases last year—as evidence of the CPC’s commitment to self-revolution. “Combating corruption is not just a slogan, but a tangible process of self-inspection,” she remarked, expressing hope that Nepal’s emerging leadership could draw inspiration.
Quoting General Secretary Xi Jinping—”The future belongs to the youth, and hope rests with the youth”—Shrestha called for collaborative growth between Nepali and Chinese youth to advance self-reliance, integrity, and people-centered governance globally.
The meeting concluded with interactive exchanges among Chinese and foreign youth representatives, who discussed pathways for enhancing cross-cultural understanding, digital cooperation, and sustainable development partnerships. Jin Xin, Assistant Director of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the session.
Organizers stated that the “Surrounding Youth See the CCP” initiative aims to create sustained platforms for young leaders across Asia to engage directly with China’s development narrative, fostering mutual learning and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
As regional dynamics evolve, such youth-centered dialogues are increasingly viewed as vital to nurturing long-term friendship, stability, and prosperity across South and Southeast Asia.
