Award-winning participants pose for a group photo at the Award Ceremony of the "Me and China" Writing Campaign in Lanzhou, Northwest China's Gansu Province, on July 30, 2025. Photo: Zhang Kaifeng/People's Daily

In the peak of summer, all things thrive and are in full bloom. Enthusiasm among the Chinese people for friendly exchanges with people from around the world surges like the mighty waters of the Yellow River.?

On July 30, the Award Ceremony of the "Me and China" Writing Campaign and the "Silk Road·People-to-People Friendship Dialogue" Story Sharing Session were convened in Lanzhou, where the Yellow River flows through the city, in Northwest China's Gansu Province. 

The ceremony was jointly hosted by the People's Daily and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), co-hosted by the Gansu Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Yang Wanming, president of CPAFFC; Cui Shixin, deputy editor-in-chief of the People's Daily; and He Wei, vice chairman of the Gansu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the event. Representatives of the writing campaign winners from 11 countries gathered with delegates from friendship organizations, Chinese enterprises, universities, and research institutions to share touching stories of exchanges and discuss the bright prospects for people-to-people friendship.

Launched in February 2024 by the People's Daily and the CPAFFC, the "Me and China" Writing Campaign drew extraordinary engagement. By the end of 2024, over 1,300 submissions had poured in from over 80 countries and regions. Since June 2024, the People's Daily has published 35 excellent essays - heartfelt testimonials weaving a powerful tapestry of transnational goodwill, forming a surge driving forward people-to-people friendship between China and the world.

Friendship passed down through generations

History endures, and spirits are carried forward through the ages. The canvas of time is painted with stories of friendship that transcend time, geography, and borders.

"I apologize for exceeding my speaking time," said Ma Kuanchi, vice president of the American Flying Tiger Historical Organization. His apology pulled the audience - who had been completely engrossed - back from the depths of history to the venue. Ma, lost in his narrative, recounted how he and his team found the world's last airworthy C-47 transport plane and recreated the "Hump Route" starting from Australia on August 15, 2016. Five senescent men, with an average age of 71.8, piloted the vintage aircraft across 6 countries over 97 days. Braving emergency landings due to mechanical failures and temporary loss of communication, they finally arrived at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. 

From founding the American Flying Tiger Historical Organization to organizing visits by Flying Tigers veterans to China, and from assisting in building the Guilin Flying Tigers Heritage Park to reenacting the Hump Route despite countless obstacles - Ma shared pivotal moments he had witnessed. Our relentless efforts aim to ensure that the Chinese and American people, never forget this precious history and keep the Flying Tigers' spirit alive, he said.

Ma noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945) and the World Anti-Fascist War. In this significant year, we must cherish the friendship forged in blood between China and the US. 

During the arduous years of the war, many international friends selflessly aided the Chinese people, including New Zealander Rewi Alley. "Alley spent 60 years in China, standing with its people through hardships and devoting himself to China's liberation and development. The Bailie Oil School, which he founded, is one of the predecessors of Lanzhou City University," said Liu Xiaoxia, director of the International Exchange Office at Lanzhou City University. For over half a century, the university has maintained close ties with New Zealand's academic and social organizations, fostering frequent exchanges. While preserving and promoting Alley's spirit, it continues to strengthen China-New Zealand friendship.

At the session, the organizers also shared stories of George Hogg, Alley's close comrade and a British journalist who reported from Yan'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Recently, Hogg's nephew, Mark Aylwin Thomas, contributed an article titled "In memory of my uncle George Hogg" to the "Me and China" column. It details Hogg's dedication to China's war efforts and his shared destiny with the Chinese people. Mark vowed to spend his life carrying forward his ancestor's legacy, building a bridge of friendship between the British and Chinese peoples.

For South Korean doctoral student Bae Hye-eun at Peking University, China connections transcend generations. Over 30 years ago, her parents studied in Beijing as visiting scholars. With the assistance of teachers at Beijing Foreign Studies University, they jointly published the Korean language textbook Introduction to Korean for Chinese students. Influenced by her family, Bae developed a deep interest in China and followed in their footsteps. She documents her experiences studying and traveling in China, introducing its rapid development and diverse charm to more people through her column in South Korean media. "This bond continues, and I hope to pass this affection to more people in the future," Bae said.

Civilizations across mountains and sea

Civilizations become diverse through exchanges and enriched through mutual learning. The ancient Silk Road once connected Eastern and Western civilizations, driving the progress of human society. At the sharing session, exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations emerged as the most discussed topic among the guests.

Vienna Cammarota, who has admired the Italian traveler Marco Polo since childhood, has long been fascinated by the ancient Silk Road. On April 26, 2022, the retired Italian tour guide set off from Venice with the book - The Travels of Marco Polo, embarking on a journey to retrace the ancient Silk Road entirely on foot. Over three years, Vienna trekked 22,000 kilometers across 15 Eurasian countries."Every step I took was to trace the origins and resonance of civilizations. I witnessed firsthand that despite being thousands of miles apart, China and Italy are closely linked through culture," Vienna said.?

"Me and China" writing campaign author Vienna Cammarota, an Italian tour guide and hiker, visits Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu Province. Photo: Courtesy of Vienna Cammarota

Zhu Yuhua, president of the Italy-China Exchange Association, which assisted Vienna in completing her journey, noted that the Italian people hold a natural affinity for China. This friendship stems from the exchanges and interactions between the two civilizations throughout history, as well as mutual respect and appreciation for each other's cultures."I believe that as long as there is a yearning for friendship and a desire for cultural exchanges in our hearts, we can bridge thousands of mountains and rivers and connect our souls."

Dunhuang, hailed as the "pearl of the Silk Road," has long borne witness to the deep and enduring exchanges among civilizations.

According to Song Yanpeng, director of the Dunhuang Studies Information Center at the Dunhuang Academy, the academy has, in recent years, actively invited scholars and friends from around the world to "come in" and engage in dialogue about Dunhuang, using international discourse to share Chinese culture globally. At the same time, Dunhuang's stories are also "going out" through academic exchanges, exhibitions, online lectures, and digital sharing.

Among the contributors to the essay collection were international students passionate about traditional Chinese culture. One of them, Zaw Win Maung from Myanmar, is studying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at Henan University of Chinese Medicine. 

Zaw noted that TCM offers a different lens with which to view life: It sees humans as an integral part of nature, coexisting in harmony. Through hands-on experience and the careful mentorship of his teachers, he came to appreciate not only the uniqueness of TCM but also the profound tradition of master-apprentice transmission. 

"I believe I'm not just learning prescriptions or needling techniques. I'm also learning the wisdom of harmony between humanity and nature, and the tenderness and reverence toward life embedded in Chinese culture," Zaw said.

Myanmar international student Zaw Win Maung showcases traditional Chinese medicine culture at the first Henan International Cultural Festival for Educators and Students From China and Abroad, in November 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Zaw Win Maung

Not long ago, Fathiya Mohamed-said, a young woman from Tanzania, graduated from School of Medicine with Jiangsu University. 

In her hometown, Chinese medical teams have long been praised for their compassion and professionalism. Fathiya shared that she was deeply inspired by their work: "To me, they are heroes. I'm truly proud to follow in their footsteps and become a doctor."

Bridges of mutual understanding and friendship

Several essay authors mentioned that in today's global context, the spirit of solidarity and shared destiny is more important than ever. Cultural exchanges that promote mutual understanding and friendship are especially meaningful in our time. 

"Bridge" was a recurring theme throughout the event, with many Chinese and international guests expressing their willingness to act as "bridge-builders," fostering connections among peoples across borders.

Among them was 77-year-old retired teacher and Portuguese national Helena Mesquita, the eldest speaker at the session. Her passion for learning Chinese once drove her to embark on an eight-hour round trip every weekend, rain or shine, just for a two-hour language class. At the sharing session, she insisted on speaking entirely in Chinese, recounting her journey of learning - a speech that drew prolonged applause.

"I hope I can be a small bridge, contributing in my own way to the friendship between Portugal and China," she said. Mesquita was accompanied by her 18-year-old grandson, Pedro Mesquita, who was visiting China for the first time. He was deeply impressed by the beautiful cities and friendly people. 

Chinese enterprises have been active drivers of global development and key participants in the Belt and Road Initiative, playing vital roles in people-to-people exchanges as well. From Sudan's Merowe Dam to Kazakhstan's Turgusun hydropower plant, China International Water & Electric Corporation has implemented over 800 high-quality projects across more than 80 countries and regions, covering areas such as energy, water conservation, and infrastructure.

"These landmark projects and smaller, people-focused ones alike serve as bridges that connect hearts with local communities," said Wang Lunhui, deputy Party secretary of the corporation. "Each of our projects carries the mission of promoting people-to-people friendship, and every worker is a key actor in this endeavor."

"They say I'm a 'living history' of CSCEC Egypt," said Hanan Othman, the administrative manager who joined the Egyptian branch of the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) in 1988, becoming the first Egyptian employee at the company. Today, the firm employs nearly 7,000 locals. 

Over the past 37 years, Hanan has not only witnessed the company's rapid growth, but also formed many close friendships. "I hope my friendship with Chinese colleagues can become a bridge connecting the peoples of Egypt and China."

Fomenko Ekaterina, a Russian teacher and appointed foreign affairs officer at the China University of Petroleum, has lived and worked in China for nearly 20 years and shares an even more unique connection with the country. A chance blood donation revealed that she has Rh-negative blood - rare in China and known as "panda blood." She immediately decided to become a regular donor and has since donated more than 4,800 milliliters.

People-to-people connectivity is the most fundamental, solid, and enduring form of connection. In just two hours, a vibrant exchange of heartfelt speeches and warm applause brought together storytellers and listeners from different cultures, testifying to the vitality of folk friendship and the ongoing momentum of people-to-people diplomacy between China and the world.?

Avenues of bonding