Youth camp fosters global connections

While she admits she is not familiar with every aspect of Chinese history, she is eager to learn through real experiences, conversations, visits and cultural exchange throughout the camp.

Beyond the academic discoveries, she views the journey as personal growth: "For me, this program is not only a journey to a new country, it is an opportunity to become more open-minded, independent, curious and connected to the world. I believe that every person we meet and every culture we discover can teach us something valuable."

The camp's vision of cross-cultural connection was echoed at the opening ceremony by Aizaz Khan, deputy head of mission at the embassy of Pakistan in China.

Addressing the young participants, he urged them to pack an open heart, make new friends and take home what they saw with their own eyes.

Drawing a historical arc, he said: "Two thousand years ago, caravans carried silk, porcelain, and ideas across deserts and mountains; today, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor carries energy, technology and hope from Kashgar to Gwadar. The ancients have left us the Silk Road spirit: peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit."