Darko Savovic (first from right) and other participants of the 6th European Youth Leaders Workshop take part in a hands-on desertification control activity in the arid region of Ningxia, China, on August 25, 2024. 

China has always seemed like a distant land – shrouded in the unknown and mystery. Distant not just by geography but by different layers of cultural depth. Yet, if there’s one trait that defines young people like us, it’s our hunger to dive into the unknown, to embrace the unfamiliar, and to let new experiences reshape our perspectives. China and our time in Beijing and Ningxia did exactly that. More than just a journey, it became a revelation – an experience that quietly alters how you perceive the everyday world around you.

Thanks to an invitation from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Montenegro, I had the honor of participating in the 6th European Youth Leaders Workshop in Beijing and Ningxia in August 2024. Alongside 28 young leaders from 24 European countries, I experienced two distinct faces of China: the modern vibrancy of Beijing and the developing potential of Ningxia. From the Xiaomi smart factory and JD Logistics Center to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, from the vineyards and deserts of Ningxia to the Museum of the Communist Party of China, our journey became a fascinating blend of unbelievable progress and ancient tradition – a true immersion into China’s past, present, and future.

Even before our flight to Beijing, the cultural immersion experience had already begun subtly, during the welcoming reception at the Chinese Embassy, where we were greeted by Ambassador Fan Kun and his staff. I had always perceived Chinese culture as something distant without many connections to our own. But then he shared stories of his youth, when Yugoslav films, music, and culture were woven into the fabric of everyday life in China.

One remark stayed with me: He described Yugoslavia as a “guiding star,” a symbol of aspiration for China and its people at the time. Today, the tables have turned in a remarkable way. China’s astonishing progress – its industry, technological prowess, and economic prosperity – now not only competes with, but in some cases even surpasses that of the world’s most advanced nations.

Since childhood, I’ve encountered Chinese people and culture through the many Chinese shops in my hometown, Podgorica. Later, during my undergraduate studies in Montenegro, I had the privilege of learning from Chinese professors. These were subtle introductions to their culture and I often wondered what would it be like to step into their world, just as they had stepped into mine.

The answer came swiftly. From the moment I boarded the Istanbul-Beijing flight, I had not a single complaint – only admiration. Upon landing at the Beijing Capital International Airport, the warmth of the organizing team made me feel at home instantly. Over the next 10 days, I had countless stories and encounters.

On our first night in Beijing, a Montenegrin colleague and I ventured into a nearby hotpot restaurant, eager to try the famed dish for the first time. After struggling to communicate our order, we resorted to pointing at the pictures on the menu. With the waiter’s patience and the help of Pleco, the Chinese-English dictionary, we soon found ourselves facing a table piled high with ingredients, ready to be cooked in the bubbling broth. As a huge food enthusiast, I reveled in every bite – from my first taste of Peking duck to the bold flavors of Yinchuan’s street stalls, the hotel banquets, and Ningxia’s local restaurants. All those meals reminded me of one sentence that I appreciate a lot: Food is the purest gateway to a culture.

But even as a food enthusiast, if I had to choose just one highlight from my trip in China, it would be its people. Every moment in China brought a new connection: climbing the Great Wall’s ancient steps, wandering through streets and metro stations, bargaining at the Silk Street Market, or exploring the Forbidden City, Hutongs in Shichahai and temples, each place became an opportunity – not just to see, but to meet people.

Curious and warm locals would approach us with smiles, eager to ask about our travels in China, teach us Mandarin phrases, recommend places to visit, or simply practice their English on us. Many wanted just one thing – a photo together, a small but yet meaningful token of cross-cultural connection. In those interactions, I found China’s true heartbeat: not in its majestic landmarks, but in the people who brought them to life.

Before coming to China, I thought I understood China’s level of engineering might until I saw it with my own eyes. As a 10-year-old watching the Beijing Olympic Games, I was mesmerized by the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, vowing to one day witness these marvels in person. Years later, standing before them, I realized no photograph could capture their beauty. This childhood dream was finally realized.

The true revelation came at the Museum of the Communist Party of China. Inside its 360-degree cinema, we embarked on a breathtaking journey – soaring over and through megaprojects, diving into crystalline waters, and racing past infrastructure marvels. This immersive “trailer” of China’s achievements left me awestruck, with one definite conclusion: a single visit could never be enough. The scale of development and the harmony of ancient and modern demands return journeys to fully comprehend China.

All of this would never be possible without the cooperation between institutions and countries. Distant lands and cultures must be personally met not with hesitation, but with open minds. I’ve come to believe that true prosperity is built on bridges of mutual understanding – connections that turn differences into collaborations, and curiosity into progress.

And who better to forge these bonds than the young? We are the ones unafraid to reach across the borders. We have the best chance at uniting one country, region and world. Why? Because the future belongs to us.  

DARKO SAVOVIC is vice president of Youth of Europe.