China-Africa youth find common ground

Forging friendships

While cultural and scientific cooperation offered opportunities for mutual learning, participants also emphasized that lasting partnerships depend on genuine personal connections.

For Chinasa Lovlyn Nwachukwu, a 28-year-old Nigerian student pursuing a master's degree in vehicle engineering at Tianjin University of Technology and Education, face-to-face exchanges provide an opportunity to challenge assumptions and gain a deeper understanding of cultural differences.

"Sometimes people rely mainly on what they see on social media, which may only show one part of the picture, and sometimes the information may not even be accurate," she said.

"When young people from China and Africa have the opportunity to interact directly, they can share their experiences and understand each other in a more authentic way," she continued.