Editor’s Note:

As the seasons change and a new year unfolds, Beijing’s people-to-people international exchanges is poised to enter a new phase. Looking back at 2024, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, particularly Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, Beijing’s people-to-people diplomatic endeavors remained closely aligned with the overarching goals of serving China’s overall diplomacy, strengthening people-to-people ties between China and foreign nations, and supporting Beijing’s development as the national capital in the new era. With an optimized work pattern that ensures higher efficiency, Beijing’s people-to-people international exchanges has made significant progress, yielding notable highlights.

In 2024, Beijing’s people-to-people international exchanges achieved significant outcomes through more proactive and effective measures in serving the overall diplomatic endeavors of the Party and the country.

In 2024, Beijing’s people-to-people international exchanges produced highlights by building stronger synergy for strengthening people-to-people bonds under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

In 2024, Beijing’s people-to-people international exchanges contributed to the capital’s high-quality development, with steady progress and breakthroughs in foreign exchanges across key areas.

Now, let’s take a moment to reflect on the highlights of Beijing’s people-to-people international exchanges in 2024.

Promoting People-to-People Connectivity Under the BRI (Part I)

Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. In 2024, non-governmental entities in Beijing, including people’s organizations, social organizations, universities and enterprises, made new headway in people-to-people connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). They vigorously pursued cooperation in areas concerning people’s livelihood, strengthening public support for friendship between China and foreign countries.

Strengthening Cultural Exchanges to Enhance Mutual Understanding

StarTimes launches Carnival of Chinese Films and TV Dramas in Senegal

With investments in the construction and operation of digital television networks across Africa, StarTimes is enhancing Sino-African friendship via new media platforms. In 2024, the group produced and aired programs such as Hello, Chinese, China-Africa Express and Inside China (Season 3), which enabled African viewers to gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese customs and traditions, and the country’s rapid development and changes. This has contributed to closer cultural exchanges and deeper friendship between China and Africa. Currently, StarTimes’ digital television signals cover the entire African continent, with 17 million digital TV subscribers, 50 million online video users, and nearly 29 million social media followers. In particular, more than 50 self-produced channels, such as “Sino Drama” and “ST Toons”, have drawn a growing number of African audience, who come to understand and fall in love with China through engaging narratives about the country.

Students from the Opole Confucius Institute of BJUT participate in Chinese paper-cutting

The Opole Confucius Institute of Beijing University of Technology (BJUT) in Poland strives to build bridges for communication through language courses and cultural activities. In 2024, the institute offered 126 classes totaling nearly 4,500 teaching hours, catering to students from universities, middle schools, and primary schools and even preschool children. Over 70 cultural experience activities were organized, each a cultural feast, offering local people a delightful exploration of Chinese culture in a relaxed atmosphere. These efforts have nurtured a group of cultural ambassadors dedicated to Sino-Polish exchanges, strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Poland.

Students of Opole Confucius Institute of BJUT attend Chinese culture course