A friend's accident and subsequent recovery through acupuncture many years ago first introduced Ehsan Doostmohammadi to the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine, and marked the beginning of his connection to China.
The young Iranian first came in 2009, and has pursued traditional Chinese studies in Shanghai and Shandong province since.
Currently working as a researcher at the Iranian studies center at Southwest University in Chongqing, Doostmohammadi is translating Chinese cultural classics into Farsi.
The experience has exposed him to Chinese culture, he says, adding that he now has a good measure of Confucian ideals such as unity in diversity, a world of great harmony, and virtue carrying and sustaining all things.
"These ideas transcend time and space, offering valuable insight for understanding and transforming the world," he said at a youth forum that was part of the Ninth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in Qufu, Shandong province, in late September.
"They provide an important reference for addressing the difficulties and challenges faced by people today," he added.
Doostmohammadi believes that young people are vital in the dissemination of culture, and represent the future and driving force of societal and cultural development.
"We should fully harness the role of youth in cultural exchanges, nurture young cultural ambassadors, and build bridges for friendly exchange among people from different countries, so the torch of civilizational exchanges can continue to be passed on, bringing forth new ideas," he says.
Doostmohammadi was among approximately 90 young scholars from around the world who attended the youth forum in search of common ground, to learn from each other and carry forward the shared values of humanity in an effort to deal with global challenges.
Mario Janeski, president of the Red Youth of Levica in North Macedonia, says that shared human values arise from deep-rooted cultures that have been nurtured and refined over thousands of years.
"In North Macedonia, we cherish stories about our ancient traditions, wisdom, and resilience. These stories, much like the profound teachings of Confucius in China, shape our values and collective psyche," Janeski said at the forum.
He believes that when young people come together, blending history and tradition, they pave the way for a collective future rich in mutual understanding and common goals.
He has dreamed of opportunities like the forum, where young people from his country would be able to exchange ideas with their counterparts from elsewhere, including China, Brazil and Russia.
"Through the prudent collaboration of young people, this globalized world is one of unity, mutual respect, and growth. In this world, the values we cherish are not only preserved but also celebrated and shared on an international scale," Janeski says.
"In our increasingly interconnected global community, the importance of international youth solidarity is particularly prominent," he adds.
Jin Yeong-eun, a well-known content creator from South Korea, shared her study and work experiences in Yichang, Hubei province.
In the course of making short videos about Chinese culture, Jin has visited many rural areas over the past four years.
One of the most unforgettable destinations was Longfeng village.
"I met a centenarian grandmother, and I was amazed to see how healthy and happy her life was," she says.
She still vividly remembers how the elderly woman radiated happiness and told her that her contentment was due to national policies.
As Jin understands it, this is representative of the rural vitalization achievements of China's poverty alleviation efforts.
She hopes that more young people from around the world will come and explore China, see the country for themselves, and find inspiration for dealing with global problems.
Jin says she looks forward to future visitors sharing more stories about China with a wider audience, to help the world develop a real, multidimensional, and colorful picture of the country.
Mahmoud Gomaa, who comes from Egypt, is currently a doctoral student at Nankai University in Tianjin. His curiosity about Chinese culture led him to first study Mandarin, and as he has made inroads into Chinese culture over the course of the past five years, he has aspired to engage in cultural exchange work between China and Egypt.
"This is the power of culture, and it is also the charm of culture. It is not only the soul of a country and a nation, but also a bridge connecting people from all over the world," Gomaa says.
During his time in China, he has had opportunities to participate in cultural activities and exchange programs.
"Through these activities and projects, I not only deepened my understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, but also broadened my horizons and thinking and enhanced my cross-cultural communication and innovation skills," he adds.
Song Lilin, a young expert at Qufu Normal University, says that as long as everyone adheres to the vision of shared beauty, a harmonious world, the inheritance and development of human civilization, a community with a shared future will become a reality in the hands of generations of young people.
