A youth delegation from multiple ASEAN countries visited Qinghai Province from July 21 to 25, participating in the 12th China-ASEAN Youth Elite Exchange Festival under the theme "Passing the Torch of the Silk Road, Sailing Together into the Future."
Nearly 80 young elites and representatives of friendly organizations from ASEAN nations traveled to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, exploring sites including the Qinghai Green Electricity and Computing Integration Center, the Talatan Photovoltaic Park, Qinghai Lake, and the Kanbula World Geopark. The journey's stunning natural landscapes and distinctive green development practices reshaped the visitors' understanding of Qinghai and China's western region.
Many of the ASEAN youth were visiting Qinghai for the first time. Before the trip, most had a vague and distant impression of the plateau, finding it hard to imagine that such a region could preserve both its pristine natural beauty and nurture modern, green industries.
On the afternoon of July 22, the group visited the Qinghai Green Electricity and Computing Integration Center. Singaporean youth representative Zhang Weibin noted the province's abundant water, solar, and wind resources, calling it an ideal location for developing clean energy. "Seeing the introduction of Qinghai's green electricity being sent eastward to power the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, I sincerely admire the foresight and planning of China's western inland provinces in the development of the new energy industry," he said.
The Talatan Photovoltaic Park in Gonghe County, Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, challenged many visitors' preconceptions. Once a barren, windswept desert, the site is now covered in solar panels stretching to the horizon. "Does energy development always have to come at the cost of damaging nature? At Talatan, I found a new answer," said Rogin Sadian, a youth representative from the Philippines. He explained that the park's model involves solar power generation above the panels, while grass is planted and livestock grazes below. "The pasture is lush, cattle and sheep graze peacefully, and the desert is gradually turning into an oasis. Ecological restoration and energy development are advancing simultaneously. It was a privilege to witness this integrated model," he added.
Chen Chunfu, Administrative Director of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, was visiting Qinghai for the first time. "I thought Qinghai would be desolate, but setting foot here, you can truly feel its vitality. This is the dividend of China's Western Development Strategy," he said. Chen noted that Qinghai is building a green digital industry powered by clean energy, with electricity from the Gobi Desert converted into a core driver for the digital economy. He expressed hope that ASEAN countries and China could share green technologies to benefit regional development.
Leaving the photovoltaic Gobi, the delegation traveled to Qinghai Lake, China's largest lake. The serene, blue waters stretched alongside lush meadows and flocks of birds, showcasing a stable and vibrant ecosystem. Walking along the lake's ecological trails, the visitors experienced the unique tranquility and grandeur of the plateau lake. They learned that years of systematic conservation have significantly enriched the lake's biodiversity. Key statistics illustrate this: the population of the Przewalski's gazelle, a species endemic to Qinghai Lake, has recovered from fewer than 300 to over 3,700; the resources of the Qinghai Lake naked carp (commonly known as the Huang fish) have rebounded to 133,000 tonnes; and the number of waterbirds has reached approximately 606,000, a record high for monitoring. "When I saw Qinghai Lake, I was awestruck by its sapphire-blue water and shimmering surface. A camera cannot capture its vastness," said Thai youth representative Zheng Ganmi. She noted that outsiders often focus on the modernization of China's big cities, overlooking the decades-long efforts of people in the west to protect major rivers and lakes.
Continuing their journey, the group visited the Kanbula World Geopark in Jianzha County, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Surrounded by peaks, the turquoise Yellow River flows through deep canyons and lush forests, with the unique Danxia landforms of the plateau creating a mesmerizing scene. As a key ecological area in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the local government adheres to the principle of developing the cultural tourism industry moderately on the premise of protection, safeguarding geological relics, water and soil resources, and native vegetation. "Coming to Qinghai, I see a more three-dimensional and diverse China," said Cambodian representative Chen Lisha. "On this vast plateau, Qinghai has chosen a path of ecological priority and green development, providing a vivid practical model for developing countries."
A youth salon on July 24 focused on the three themes of "Green Development, Mutual Learning Among Civilizations, and New Quality Productive Forces." Participants exchanged ideas and insights, working together to create a sustainable future powered by youth. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations and the 5th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership. The brief visit to Qinghai has planted seeds of friendship and green development in the hearts of the ASEAN youth.
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