On the afternoon of July 17, the special session titled “Overseas Chinese Promote People-to-People Connectivity & Tell China’s Story” of the inaugural Belt and Road Conference for Overseas Chinese Cooperation and Development, along with the launch ceremony of the “Walking in China: 2025 Sichuan-Chongqing Tour for Overseas Chinese Media”, was held in Chongqing.
Keynote Speech: Overseas Chinese as Bridges of Hearts
As the saying goes, “Friendship between nations lies in the affinity between their people, and such affinity is rooted in mutual understanding.” Overseas Chinese have long played a pivotal role in fostering people-to-people ties between China and the world. With over 60 million overseas Chinese worldwide, two-thirds of whom reside in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, they are recognized as natural bridges and connectors due to their economic strength, broad networks, and mature commercial systems.
According to Zhang Qiong, Director of Chongqing’s Information Office, the city has actively explored new paths in global communication, upgrading its Western China International Communication Center and launching distinctive branding projects. Thanks to support from overseas Chinese, initiatives such as the “Experience Chongqing” cultural exchange event have gained traction, promoting local intangible cultural heritage to international audiences.
International Chinese-language media have continuously spotlighted Chongqing’s emerging industries, open platforms, and rich culture, contributing high-quality coverage and boosting the city’s global visibility and influence.
Zhu Yong’ou, Director of the Sichuan Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, noted that since 2023, the “Walking in China: Sichuan-Chongqing Tour for Overseas Chinese Media” has been jointly organized by both provinces and has made a significant impact. This year’s program offers participants a firsthand experience of Sichuan and Chongqing’s development and everyday life.
Roundtable Discussion: Telling China’s Story Through Real-Life Examples
Several impactful projects were showcased at the event, such as:
- The Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Clean Water and Environmental Protection for Overseas Communities
- China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration’s promotion of A Shared Future for Humanity
- Chongqing Blue Sky Rescue Team’s participation in global disaster relief
- Huaxia Eye Hospital’s “Vision for All” international medical missions
These efforts offer vivid portrayals of a real, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive image of China, interpreting the concept of a shared future through tangible, people-oriented actions.
During the roundtable, Luo Mingwen, a Chongqing Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese committee member and head of the Blue Sky Rescue Team, shared their experiences in international rescue operations across Zimbabwe, Nepal, Myanmar, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and more. He emphasized the importance of mutual support during crises in fostering cross-cultural bonds.
Huaxia Eye Hospital Party Secretary and Vice President Li Xiaofeng said that since 2014, their “Vision for All” team has traveled to BRI countries 11 times, performing over 3,300 cataract surgeries in Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and others. He noted that these missions were made possible with support from the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese and related foundations, helping bridge gaps in healthcare and enhance international collaboration.
Lin Kun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, emphasized their mission to “Tell China’s Story to the World.” Through multilingual, cross-platform dissemination, the agency continues to innovate international communication, contribute to think tank research, and promote global cultural exchange.
Yang Min, Director of the Environmental Technology Cooperation Center at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, shared a decade-long collaboration with Sri Lanka to address rural waterborne diseases through low-cost water purification systems — a practical example of people-to-people connectivity and scientific diplomacy.
United in Action: Telling China’s Story Through Deeds
As Yang Min put it, “Telling China’s story requires more than words — it calls for action.”
During the session, the “Overseas Chinese Love · Vision for All” international charity project was launched. By the end of 2025, it will offer cataract surgeries to at least 250 patients in Uzbekistan and Cambodia.
Huaxia Eye Hospital also pledged to further integrate premium medical resources and expand its public welfare programs to benefit more people globally.
Overseas Chinese Media Embark on a New Journey in Sichuan and Chongqing
The event also marked the official start of the “Walking in China: 2025 Sichuan-Chongqing Tour for Overseas Chinese Media.”
Over the next two weeks, 26 Chinese-language media outlets from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and Oceania will visit key sites in Sichuan and Chongqing. Their focus will be on the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, industrial innovation, cross-border collaboration, rural revitalization, and urban modernization — offering international audiences an authentic look at the region’s high-quality development.
Since 2008, the “Walking in China” initiative has taken overseas Chinese media to Tibet, Xinjiang, Shanghai, Hainan, Shandong, and beyond, with the Sichuan-Chongqing tour now in its third consecutive year.
During the ceremony, Cai Youming, Executive Editor-in-Chief of the Philippines’ Commercial Daily, remarked that each trip to Sichuan and Chongqing had offered fresh perspectives and deep insights into the region’s rapid progress in industry, technology, culture, and city building.
Yang Yanfang, Secretary-General of China News Service, said that the organization has hosted this initiative since 2008 in line with China’s goal of strengthening international communication capacity. Over the years, it has brought over 110 Chinese-language media outlets from 60 countries to Chongqing, generating more than 4,700 original reports and over 90 online specials, presenting the city’s reform and modernization achievements to a global audience. She added that this year’s program will further build bridges between China and the world, offering a true, multidimensional perspective of the Chengdu-Chongqing region through first-hand reporting.