Moroccan student El Batoul Nejjaoui, studying at Beijing International Studies University, engaged in a dialogue with CPPCC member Guo Yuanyuan on strengthening cultural exchanges between China and the world. Having lived in China for eight years, she highlighted her role in translating the poverty alleviation-themed TV drama Minning Town into Arabic. Guo emphasized mutual appreciation, personal engagement, and embracing the future as key approaches.
Chinese cultural products, such as the animated film Ne Zha 2, designer toy Labubu, and short dramas, are gaining global popularity, fostering vibrant exchanges between China and the world. El Batoul Nejjaoui, a Moroccan student at Beijing International Studies University, has lived and studied in China for eight years. She has participated in several China-Arab cultural exchange initiatives, including Arabic translation for the poverty alleviation-themed TV drama Minning Town and the documentary series Understanding China.
Nejjaoui feels a strong responsibility as a cultural bridge and hopes to share authentic stories about China. "Many foreigners often have stereotypes about China. They often see it as a developed country today, but they don’t know much about the journey China has gone through," she said. She aims for people in Arab countries to gain a deeper understanding of China’s development approach and draw inspiration from it.
In her view, cultural exchange is a two-way process, with language serving as a vital bridge for mutual understanding. "When I translate books, TV dramas, or participate in related projects, I’m making people get closer to another culture, another group of people, and another country," Nejjaoui said.
Drawing from her experience, she posed a question to Guo Yuanyuan, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and associate dean of the Academy of Metropolis Economic and Social Development at Capital University of Economics and Business: In today’s global context, how can Chinese culture and solutions be better understood by people from other regions? How can young people from different countries strengthen exchanges, deepen mutual understanding, and build genuine friendships?
Guo responded with three key phrases: mutual appreciation, personal engagement, and embracing the future. "I strongly agree that cultural exchange should be a two-way process," Guo said. She noted that traditional Chinese ideas such as “harmony and coexistence” and “mutual appreciation among civilizations” offer valuable wisdom for cross-cultural dialogue. With openness and inclusiveness, people can better respect differences and promote meaningful interactions.
Guo also stressed the need for a “DIY” spirit—direct participation and firsthand experience. "Only by stepping into environments that were once unfamiliar and learning about the stories unfolding there can people truly feel the warmth of cultural exchange and build sincere emotional connections," she said.
"The future of humanity belongs to the younger generation," she added. Young people from different countries should collaborate to deepen cultural understanding and co-create cultural products that resonate across borders.
