On June 15, Li Lecheng, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Liaoning Provincial Committee and Governor of Liaoning Province, met with a group of young participants of the eight-day 2024 Future Close-Up tour in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, Liaoning Daily reported on June 16.  

The Future Close-Up is a high-level youth exchange program jointly initiated by China International Communications Group (CICG) Center for the Americas and the Marketing and Public Relations Department of Chinese tech titan Tencent in 2023. 

Participants of the 2024 Future Close-Up tour visit the China-Germany Enterprise International Innovation Incubation Center in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, on June 15 (ZHANG WEI)  

The program brings together experts and young adults working in a range of fields from both China and other countries to engage in discussions and exchange perspectives on the current landscape and potential opportunities generated by new technologies. 

On behalf of the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee and Liaoning Provincial People’s Government, Li welcomed everyone and expressed his gratitude to CICG Center for the Americas, Tencent and the Hong Kong Federation of Liaoning Associations for organizing the Liaoning leg of the tour.  

Li said that Liaoning is committed to implementing Chinese President Xi Jinping’s key speeches and instructions on fully revitalizing northeast China--and Liaoning in particular. The province is also committed to safeguarding national defense, food security, ecology, energy and industrial security, realizing its goal of establishing “six areas” in the new era and advancing the three-year plan for full revitalization and new breakthroughs. The province is accelerating its cultivation of new quality productive forces to maintain a stable, upward trajectory of economic growth.  

In the bigger context of China’s economic development framework, new quality productive forces represent a strategic shift toward a more innovative, technology-driven, and sustainable economic model aimed at achieving higher productivity, competitiveness and long-term growth. 

Li hoped for every participant to get the chance to explore Liaoning’s high-quality development and feel the hospitality of its locals. He encouraged the youth representatives to deepen their understanding of the province and actively promote Liaoning by sharing their experiences of how it is revitalizing itself.  

Maisy Ho Chiu Ha, President of the Hong Kong Federation of Liaoning Associations and Executive Director of Shun Tak Holdings Ltd., Li Yafang, President of CICG Center for the Americas, and Ng Yuk Yeung Paul, Executive Vice Chairman and Co-CEO of Hong Kong South China Holdings Co. Ltd., attended the meeting and all expressed their gratitude for the warm reception and service provided by the province. 

They all hoped that the tour will bring aspiring youths from across the globe a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic view of China and promote a positive image of the country, along with many fond memories.  

They also encouraged the young representatives to share their observations and thoughts so that more opportunities for mutual visits and exchanges will open up between youths from Liaoning and other parts of the world. This will help young people worldwide to better understand and appreciate Liaoning, deepen their connections with the province and generate more fruitful results.  

From June 13 to 21, the Future Close-Up tour takes 27 youth representatives from 21 countries and regions, including China, the United States, Russia, Germany, Italy, Thailand, and Japan, on a trip departing from Beijing and taking them to Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, and Xiongan New Area in Hebei Province.  

Li Jun, Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce of Liaoning Province, speaks at an event promoting investment themed “Exploring New Quality Productive Forces” in Shenyang on June 15 (ZHANG RUI)  

During an event in Shenyang on June 15, Li Jun, Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce of Liaoning Province, introduced the province’s key advantages in developing new quality productive forces, furthering its opening-up strategy and strengthening economic and trade cooperation. These advantages include a strong industrial base, a highly advanced manufacturing sector, a cohort of open platforms and massive opportunities for collaboration.  

“We welcome all of you to visit Liaoning more often, learn about the place, invest in it and take root in it,” he said.  

 Li Yafang, President of CICG Center for the Americas, speaks at an event promoting investment themed “Exploring New Quality Productive Forces” in Shenyang on June 15 (ZHANG RUI)  

Li Yafang said at the event that, through the program, young participants from across the globe can feel the inner drive of northeast China’s revitalization, the role of technological transformation in fostering economic development and the deep emotional bond that connects Liaoning, the “firstborn son of the People’s Republic of China” to its home country. 

“We hope that the program will give every participant a chance to get to know Liaoning, feel Liaoning, connect with Liaoning, and perhaps start a new life in Liaoning,” she said.  

Ng Yuk Yeung Paul, Executive Vice Chairman and Co-CEO of Hong Kong South China Holdings Co. Ltd., speaks at an event promoting investment themed “Exploring New Quality Productive Forces” in Shenyang on June 15 (ZHANG RUI)  

Ng, also Executive President of the Hong Kong Liaoning Association, said that Liaoning is rich in not only industrial legacies, but also mineral and tourism resources. Besides, it is also a major hub for agricultural production. These elements combined mean great growth potential. As Hong Kong is deeply connected to both Chinese mainland and the world, the association will serve as a “super league” in Hong Kong to draw investment in Liaoning in the future.  

Peter Carberry, Cyber Security and Privacy Manager at Huawei Technologies Ireland, speaks at an event promoting investment themed “Exploring New Quality Productive Forces” in Shenyang on June 15 (ZHANG RUI)  

At the event, Peter Carberry, Cyber Security and Privacy Manager at Huawei Technologies Ireland, said he first visited China 10 years ago. In under a decade, he has seen China become an increasingly accessible place for Irish people, whether it is for tourism or education purposes, or to do business.  

“China's economic development and Europe's green transition are more or less inseparable. Events such as this Future Close-Up tour provide a valuable reminder of what we can learn from each other when we create environments that pool our digital and intercultural skills,” he said. 

Young participants of the 2024 Future Close-Up tour visit Liaoning Yili Dairy Industry Co. Ltd. in Shenyang on June 15 (ZHANG WEI) 

On June 15, the group also visited Liaoning Yili Dairy Industry Co. Ltd., the Xibe People Museum, China-Germany Enterprise International Innovation Incubation Center, Sino-German International Street and China Industrial Museum. These sites offered them a glimpse into Shenyang’s overall development and business environment, as well as its rich and diverse historical and cultural landscapes.  

Participants of an event promoting investment themed “Exploring New Quality Productive Forces” pose for a group photo in Shenyang on June 15 (ZHANG RUI)  

Guided by CICG, the Department of Commerce of Liaoning Province and Tencent, the 2024 Future Close Up is jointly hosted by the CICG Center for the Americas, the Hong Kong Federation of Liaoning Associations and the Marketing and Public Relations Department of Tencent.