International students perform at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Belt and Road Youth Sports Exchange Week. [Photo/Jiangsu Development and Reform Commission]

The 2025 Belt and Road Youth Sports Exchange Week opened on May 21 in Jiangyin, a city in Wuxi, Jiangsu province. The event has attracted nearly 500 young participants from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Throughout the week, a variety of exciting sporting events will take place, including the International Youth Men's 3×3 Basketball Invitational and an outdoor sports challenge for teenagers. These competitions aim to promote cultural understanding, encourage healthy lifestyles, and foster cross-border friendships.

The exchange week serves as a platform for young people from diverse backgrounds to engage in friendly competition, share experiences, and build mutual trust. It embodies the spirit of peace, friendship, and cooperation at the core of the Belt and Road Initiative, using the universal language of sports to strengthen international ties among youth.