An extraordinary find
The year 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) where over these past years, the BRI forged significant links between member-countries and regions that contributed to the development and welfare of people around the world.
The anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative was a global vision and a success story that at the same time coincides with the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-China strategic partnership and the founding of the China-ASEAN expo, marking in whole the extraordinary international collaboration and growth of China.
As part of the fifth China Media Week held last October, the third season of the ASEAN-China Youth Hosts Camp proceeded with full vigor and this was seen in the experiences of our youth who have recently been able to share their stories. On my end, I was also privileged to share as a Filipino how we in the region can support our joint efforts through media that must be focused on helping humanity.
What is even more fascinating was how our very own representative for the ASEAN-China Youth Hosts Camp, Elizabeth Garcia Arce, a student from the Guangxi Arts University, had the opportunity to visit the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill, and inspired a cake that resembles the hill’s distinctive shape, signifying how, in the age of social media and culture, culinary creations have become a work of art. Today, many other people are able to share these edible souvenirs and at the same time explore meaningful cultural traditions where, according to legend, the Elephant Trunk Hill manifested the kind-hearted act of an elephant who came down to earth to help the poor.
Elizabeth Arce, who was part of the Guilin team, is an example of an immersive experience that took mere sightseeing and photo-taking to the next level, where technology helps us transform our travels into more meaningful experiences. Arce and the Guilin team also had the opportunity to venture to Yongfu County, which is home to Caidiao, a traditional tune and ethereal part of Guangxi cultural heritage. It was Arce’s first time to try Chinese opera costumes which helped her learn more about local culture and arts.
