Honorable Mr. Prodromos  Prodromou, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports of Cyprus,  
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, young friends,

I'm very pleased to attend the  China-Cyprus Youth Forum and talk to the young friends of the two countries  about the future of life. By promoting exchanges and cooperation, we will  envisage an even better future. Here, I wish to sincerely thank the European  University Cyprus, China Foreign Affairs University, China Global Television  Network, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, the National Health Commission of  China, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the  Embassy of Cyprus in China, Cyprus-China Friendship Association, the Democratic  Rally, and the Progressive Party of Working People. Thank you all for  participation and strong support rendered to this forum.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping  said, the youth is the most active and energetic force in the entire social  force, and the hope of the country and the future of the nation lie in the  youth. Likewise, the friendship of generations between China and Cyprus, and the  development and progress of the world also lie in the youth. This year marks the  50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and  Cyprus. As one of the important celebration activities, the China-Cyprus Youth  Forum has brought together young talents from various sectors of the two  countries. I hope that through this forum, the youth of the two countries will  review the path that China and Cyprus have walked on in the past 50 years,  explore the common principles and values that China and Cyprus uphold, and  contribute wisdom and strength to the sustained and healthy development of the  friendly cooperation between the two countries as well as the joint response to  the global challenges.

The current world is undergoing  significant changes and major adjustments, intertwined with a pandemic unseen in  a century. We are also seeing a new round of scientific and technological  revolution and industrial transformation. Dialogue and mutual learning among  civilizations should be strengthened at such a time. With the vision for a  better life, the China-Cyprus Youth Forum will engage in in-depth exchanges on  the future of digital connectivity, the future of health cooperation, and the  future of civilizational dialogue, which bear great and far-reaching  significance.

First, it helps to enhance  friendship between China and Cyprus and promote common development, which will  not be hindered by geographical distance. Digital connectivity will narrow our  distance in space and time, and accelerate transformation of our economies and  societies. Health cooperation will help the two countries to jointly fight the  COVID-19 pandemic and any pandemic in the future, and jointly build a community  of common health for mankind. The interaction between civilizations can bring  the hearts of the two peoples closer. That is also the due meaning of mutual  appreciation and mutual learning between our two ancient civilizations.

Second, it helps to reduce  differences and strengthen cooperation between China and the EU. In recent  years, China-EU relations have faced some new problems and challenges. It is  natural to have competition and differences between China and the EU. The key is  to resolve them through dialogue and cooperation based on the principles of  mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results. The two sides share common  interests, common grounds, and potential cooperation in the fields of digital  connectivity, health cooperation, and civilizational dialogue. We should  continue to deepen strategic cooperation with enhanced mutual understanding  rather than sticking to ideological prejudice.

Third, it helps to improve global  governance and promote balanced development of the world. Humanity faces many  global problems and we share a common destiny. These problems cannot be solved  by any single country alone, and it counts on global action, global response,  and global cooperation. Currently, the digital divide, vaccine divide, and clash  of civilizations have become global challenges, threatening world peace and  harmonious development. All countries need to strengthen communication and  collaboration, and promote a balanced, coordinated and inclusive world based on  the principles of mutual consultation, joint contribution, and shared  benefits.

As Ambassador of China to Cyprus,  although I am no longer a young man, I always keep a young heart, breathing the  air of the new era, keeping myself updated and adapting to the rapid changes in  work and lifestyle. I appreciate the innovative thinking and self-motivation of  the young people, and I am willing to forge ahead together with the young people  and pursue a better life. Here, I wish to take this opportunity to express a few  expectations of mine for the youth representatives present today and the young  people of our two countries.

First, we should respect science  and adapt to social changes. Modern technology is developing fast. Globally, a  new technology patent comes out in every 3 seconds. The digital economy is  booming and the number of 5G terminal connections has reached 453 million. The  digital economy accounts for over 40% of global GDP and this ratio has been  rising year after year. As "indigenous people" in the digital age, young people  must adapt to changes in the times, engage in technological innovation, and make  technology better facilitate economic and social transformation, enhance  people's well-being, and build a community of common development for  mankind.

Second, we should respect life  and promote health safety. As of now, there are in total over 237 million  COVID-19 cases reported worldwide with 4.8 million deaths. More than 700,000  people died of the virus even in one country alone. In the face of the pandemic,  shall we restrict our movement to some extent, or just ignore it? Shall we  strengthen global cooperation in fighting the pandemic, or just shirk  responsibility by blaming others and politicizing the origin-tracing? These are  the soul-challenging questions for any country and society. For the health  safety of our own countries and the world, young people should bear the  responsibility of fighting the pandemic in a scientific and cooperative way and  build a community of common health for mankind.

Third, we should respect  civilizations and strengthen exchanges and dialogues. Both the ancient Greek and  the Chinese civilizations enjoy a long and glorious history, which are  compatible, comparable, and communicable. Nikos Kazantzakis, a giant of modern  Greek literature who had visited China twice, commented that "Confucius and  Socrates were two masks that covered the same face of human logic." Exchanges  among civilizations is due to their diversity, which makes mutual learning  possible and drives compatible development. Young people should inherit the  profound wisdom of ancient civilizations, advocate exchanges and mutual  learning, and demonstrate the beauty of harmony of great civilizations.

Finally, I wish this forum a  complete success! Thank you!