40th China-Japan-ROK-Vietnam Youth Esperanto Seminar kicks off

The 40th China-Japan-ROK-Vietnam Youth Esperanto Seminar opened Wednesday, bringing together over 90 participants from 17 countries to engage in online discussions about pooling the wisdom of youth and jointly building an Asian community with a shared future.

Yu Tao, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG) and vice president of the China Esperanto League, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 40th China-Japan-ROK-Vietnam Youth Esperanto Seminar via video link on Dec. 28. [Photo/CICG]

Yu Tao, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG) and vice president of the China Esperanto League, said that despite the pandemic hindering economic development, Esperanto speakers always unite and join hands to overcome difficulties.

He added that he hoped, through this seminar, Asian youth would have the opportunity to fully express their views and attitudes and work together toward building a community with shared goals and a willingness to cooperate.

A youth-themed forum, the "China Stories by Gen Z" photography competition, a roundtable dialogue on China stories, a short video screening, and other activities were held during the seminar.

The 40th China-Japan-ROK-Vietnam Youth Esperanto Seminar is held online on Dec. 28. [Photo/CICG]

The China-Japan-ROK-Vietnam Youth Esperanto Seminar is a platform for cultural exchange among young Esperanto speakers from all countries. Held annually in rotation by Esperanto speakers from China, Japan, the ROK, and Vietnam, the seminar has become the most influential Esperanto activity for young people in the Asia-Pacific region.

This year's seminar is hosted by the China Esperanto League, and jointly organized by Zaozhuang University — China's only university to establish the Esperanto major — as well as Foreign Languages Press under CICG.