Officials and youth representatives from nine Southeast European countries including Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia are in China for a special event to explore the rural development of the country.
Starting on Monday in Beijing, the Second Chinese Rural Tour for Officials and Youth Representatives of Nine Southeast European Countries have brought together government officials, former political leaders and young representatives from these countries to witness China's sci-tech and industrial achievement, while gaining first-hand experience of village life in China.
The visitors came to Xinzhuang Village in Beijing's Changping District and visited a handicraft workshop producing ceramic wares, decorations, and clothing.
Beyond artisan crafts, the village is home to woodworking studios, coffee shops, bakeries, and art galleries, creating a diversified local economy that impressed many visitors.
"I thought that, in a Chinese village, I would have a cup of tea, but here there are five coffee shops. It is impressive not because of promoting coffee, because of people trying to earn their living and community to develop it is very much important," said Gabriela Cretu, a representative to the European Parliament from Romanian Senate.
Kadir Ismaili, a youth representative from North Macedonia, highlighted the unique opportunities in Chinese villages.
"When we say a village, the thing like village in Europe or in USA, but villages in China are too different from them in a positive way. Why different? Because in these villages, they have all opportunities. And there is a big issue that the government is helping these people," he said.
The guests also visited leading technology companies in Zhongguancun Dongsheng science park in Beijing's Haidian District to learn about applications of autonomous driving in firefighting, emergency rescue, and urban cleaning, and interacted with humanoid robots.
"So I'm very happy and very honored to see the developments that have been made in robotics and autonomous driving, as well as sustainable energy. I definitely think China represents a powerhouse in these fields. And we have much to learn from all of these advancements," said Jan Vajgl, a journalist from Slovenia's Zavod Radio Študent.
Predrag Rajić, State Secretary of the Serbian Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, underscored the value of China-Serbia cooperation in sectors including IT and robotics sectors.
"We are now fulfilling our goals to be on the higher level when it comes to infrastructure development, development in IT sector, robotics sector and other sectors, together with our Chinese friends. And thanks to you, now we are catching with this development," he said.
Southeast European officials, youth explore China's rural development
