Young representatives pose for a photo during the forum. [Photo/news.jstv.com]

The 2022 International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads was held in Beijing, Nanjing, and Changsha on Dec 15. The event, entitled "Youth Creativity to Promote Intercultural Dialogue and Tackle Global Challenges", attracted 89 young people from 44 countries along the Belt and Road.

During the forum, participants from China, Serbia, Bulgaria, and other countries expressed their views on heritage protection amid sustainable urban development and literary creativity in cross-cultural exchanges.

Chai Shao-fei, a Malaysian student from the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said everyone can do their part to protect heritage through artificial intelligence technologies. Nipalese student Prarup Babu Tlwari from the same university said local governments can achieve sustainable urban renewal through innovation and digital technologies.

Mane Vardanyan from Armenia and Shavkatjon Tulkinov from Uzbekistan at Nanjing University said ideaistic and behavioral conflicts caused by cultural differences are frequently seen in international exchanges, and that literary creativity can bridge the gap between various cultures to promote mutual understanding and integration.

Foreign representatives also visited several attractions in Nanjing, including the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Nanjing Eye Footbridge, to learn about history and development of the city.