BEIJING, Aug 17 (INP): A Pakistani student, Sajida Riffat Laraib, who is studying electrical engineering in North China Electric Power University and Nongqin, a staff member of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies have been jointly declared winner of speech competition under first Silk Road& Young Dreams forum.

Another participant from Pakistan, Farooq Feroze grabbed third position in speech competition.

Around 100 young participants from 26 countries along the Belt and Road including Pakistan participated in the event that constituted ‘get on the road, get to the sky’ as its main slogan.

The four-day, the first Silk Road & Young Dreams event, an international gala event of youth exchange, started in Beijing Normal University on Sunday under the themes ‘youth communication’ and ‘people-to-people bond’.

The event was organised to provide a stage for the youths along the Silk and Road to shine with talents and potentials and to share their dreams as well as to serve as a bridge to interact with the society.

Young participants from different countries competed with each other on three categories: speech, music and photography.

Speaking at the ceremony, Former Director of State Council Information office of China Zhao Quizheng said: “The backbone of cultural exchanges is youth.

They are not only the future of countries, but also the historical mission of consolidating friendship between nations,” adding, “With the culture as the element and the competitive exchange as the carrier, this event will surely promote the construction of the “Belt and Road” for the youth along the route, and promote the connections of the people’s heart.”

The programme was jointly organized by Silk Road Cities Alliance, Beijing Belt and Road Cooperative Community and Renmin University of China.

The co-hosts also announced the establishment of Silk Road Young Leaders Club as one of the most important follow-up actions of the Silk Road & Young Dreams, with an aim to enhance the regular communication and exchange among members.

The programme was organised to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Belt and Road Initiative also coincided with the International Youth Day. INP/J/AJ