Belt and Road Global Youth Tour to Henan, Xinyang

　　　　Henan in Foreigner's Eyes

　　　　“一带一路”国际青年走读河南（信阳站）

　　　　——外国人眼中的河南　　

　　The "Belt and Road" Initiative will have its ten-year milestone in 2023. The Henan in Foreigner's Eyes Short Video Contest was one of the events.The event took place in Xinyang on May 31. Since China's Reform and Opening Up policy began, millions of foreigners have come to China for meetings, trade, education, and other purposes. The "Belt and Road" program provided a window for foreigners to see China's development as well as a window for Chinese to understandhow China in general, and Henan in particular, is perceived by outsiders.

　　在“一带一路”倡议提出十周年纪念之际，“外国人眼中的河南”微视频大赛于5月31日在信阳拉开帷幕。自中国改革开放政策实施以来，有数以百万计的外国人来到中国开展贸易、教育等多领域的交流活动。在此背景下发起的“一带一路”项目为外国人打开了一扇了解中国发展的窗口，同时也让中国，尤其是河南了解了来自世界的声音。

　　Young people were invited to the event from over ten different nations, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Poland, and more. The group established the first travel team and traveled to Xinyang, which is rich in ecological resources, to take in the area's stunning scenery and delectable cuisine, discover its path toward green development, and see the inspiring scenes of the locals in the old neighborhood working together to improve their lives.

　　来自阿富汗、孟加拉国、埃塞俄比亚、加纳、喀麦隆、肯尼亚、黎巴嫩、巴基斯坦、波兰等十余国优秀青年代表应邀来到生态资源富集的信阳，欣赏当地秀丽风光，品尝特色美食，感受绿色发展成就，聆听老区人民齐心协力创造美好生活的动人故事。

　　Foreign youth representatives were invited to see cultural landmarks, picturesque rural locations, and distinctive industries that showcased Henan's high-quality growth as part of the event's "See Henan in Foreigner's Eyes" initiative. I, Dr. Hanna Yeshinegus of Ethiopia, was one of the guests invited. I am a researcher at Zhengzhou Normal University. As I experience the modernization of the thriving Henan in the new period, I come to appreciate Henan's power as embodying the spirit of China, Chinese values, and the self-assurance of the Chinese culture.

　　活动期间，国际青年代表们参访了信阳的文化地标、美丽乡村和特色产业等河南高质量发展代表性项目。来自埃塞俄比亚的孔文博士，即本人，以郑州师范学院研究员身份受邀参加此次活动。通过参观河南现代化建设的系列成果，我深切感受到了河南的发展活力以及这背后所传递出的中国精神、中国价值与文化自信。　　

　　In addition to learning about the province's history, I learned about the government's efforts to encourage people to read by going to a bookstore. I feel very at ease and natural in the "Two Better" City Bookstore thanks to the cozy reading atmosphere and practical reading services. I really enjoy the bookstore. It might make the locals happier, in my opinion.

　　在感受厚重历史之余，我也参观了信阳的“两个更好”城市书屋，了解到当地政府为鼓励人民阅读所作出的种种努力。在我看来，书屋环境舒适，设施便利，能切实提升当地人民的幸福感。　　

　　China is actively encouraging rural vitalization right now. Along with Wenxin Tea Village, blueberry harvesting, and other unique agricultural enterprises, we also visited the lovely villages of Hejiachong and Haotang. I took away a lot of knowledge from this trip, and I'll be sure to tell my family and friends about what I experienced.

　　中国目前正在大力推进乡村振兴建设，我与代表团一行参访了文新茶村、蓝莓采摘园等特色农业，也走进了美丽的何家冲村与郝堂村。我从这次信阳之旅中获益颇多，也一定会将我的所见所闻分享给家人和朋友。

　　To sum up, I'm appreciative of being a part of the team and getting to see everything in 3 days. We can broaden our horizons and discover other traditions by having experiences like this. In order to advance the welfare of the people in both nations, I will work to contribute to friendly relations between Ethiopia and China and encourage mutual learning.

　　总之，我非常开心能够作为青年代表之一参与此次活动，为期三天的旅程让我们开阔了眼界，见识到了不一样的风土人情。未来我将尽我所能助力埃中友好事业发展，为促进双方相互了解，增进人民福祉做贡献。

　　(By Hanna Yeshinegus (PhD) 孔文博士)