3月25日，在亚洲青年领袖论坛开幕式上，中国公共外交协会会长吴海龙在现场发表重要讲话。
全文如下：
各位来宾、来自亚洲国家的各位朋友：
首先我代表中国公共外交协会对参加亚洲青年领袖论坛的所有与会者表示热烈的欢迎和衷心的感谢。我有幸参加了两届亚洲青年领袖论坛，与年轻人交往和交流，我们自己也会感觉变得年轻。
当今的亚洲年轻一代有幸生活在一个美好的时代，也不幸生活在一个糟糕的时代。说美好是因为这个时代与人类历史发展的长河相比是朝着前所未有的进步的方向发展；说美好是这个时代是人类文明进步和经济社会取得最大发展的时代；说美好是因为科学技术的日新月异的发展为人类生活提供了前所未有的便捷和为人类探索自然、改造自然提供了前所未有的手段；说美好是因为这个时代为年轻人提供了更多发展的机会，更大的创造空间，这个时代就是一个为年轻人所拥有的时代。
说糟糕是因为这个时代更加动荡不安，更加充满了不确定性，人类需要面对比以往更多更大的风险、困难和挑战；说糟糕是因为霸权强权在横行，地缘冲突在持续，集团对抗在加剧，世界变得越来越不安全；说糟糕是因为气候变化、传染性疾病、环境的恶化等给人类造成了越来越大的灾难和损害。
无论是美好，还是糟糕，我们都别无选择，只能面对。我们能做的是要让这个糟糕的时代变得好一点儿，让这个美好的时代变得更好。这就是当代亚洲年轻人的使命和责任。
亚洲是全球前景中最光亮、最有希望的一片土地。亚洲的青年朋友们，你们能生活在这片土地上是幸运的，这是一片人类文明的沃土，是创造了世界灿烂文化的沃土，是创造了现代社会和经济发展奇迹的沃土，是依然蕴藏着巨大潜力的沃土。
我们的祖辈、父辈们用他们的血汗、勤劳和智慧以及他们不懈的奋斗，为我们这代人积累起了今天的物质和精神财富。我们不仅仅要做既得利益者，我们不仅仅要守好这份家业，我们还要赓续他们的薪火，传承他们的使命，向着更美好的未来奋斗，把亚洲这片沃土建设的更加繁荣富强，为人类文明进步续写新的篇章。
一代人有一代人的使命和责任，一代人有一代人需要面对的问题。在当今世界的大变局中，如何维护亚洲的和平与稳定？如何推动亚洲的繁荣和发展？如何打造一个新的亚洲世纪？这是亚洲青年的必选题。作为青年人的一个朋友，我认为，亚洲青年最重要的是应做好以下几个方面：
一、亚洲青年要做和平稳定的捍卫者和推动者。高云龙主席刚才在他的发言中特别强调了这一点，和平稳定是做好一切事情的前提条件。亚洲为什么几十年来能维持一个持续发展的局面？亚洲为什么能充满活力？人们为什么看好亚洲的发展？这是因为亚洲一直维持了一个总体和平与稳定的环境，亚洲人民享受了几十年的和平红利。试想如果亚洲国家之间互不信任，整天发生冲突和对抗，亚洲的经济怎么发展？亚洲的一体化怎么推进？亚洲人民的福祉怎么保障？现在一些国家试图以价值观划线，挑唆亚洲国家搞阵营对抗，逼迫亚洲国家选边站队，不断在亚洲地区生事。这些国家实际上是妄图分化亚洲，搞乱亚洲，祸害亚洲。因此亚洲国家维持和平稳定，维持团结合作，保持清醒的头脑和定力，比以往任何时候都紧迫和重要。
维护亚洲的和平稳定不仅仅是政治家的事，是亚洲各国人民的事，也是亚洲青年的事。也许有些青年人会说我们对政治不感兴趣。你可以不喜欢政治，但你不能没有和平的环境，你可以不关心时事，但你们需要安宁的生活。因此，亚洲青年要做和平与稳定的捍卫者，要做和平与稳定的呐喊者，要做和平与稳定的促进者，要为维护亚洲国家的团结、合作与友好尽一份努力和责任。
二、亚洲青年要做亚洲发展的领军者。发展是一切的基础，亚洲要在世界发展的浩浩大潮中占有一席之地，必须要抓住先机，开拓创新，走前人不敢走和没有走过的路。亚洲这几十年的发展已为后续发展打下了一个较坚实的基础和提供了有利的条件。亚洲青年要充分利用好这些条件，要让科技创新以及新的经济形态成为亚洲发展的新动力。在科技创新、数字经济、人工智能、新能源、低碳发展等方面勇立潮头，引领新的工业革命和世界发展的潮流。你们行，亚洲的再崛起就有希望，你们能成功，亚洲就能赢。
三、亚洲青年要胸怀大志，立足亚洲，放眼世界，为全球性问题的解决贡献力量。当前新冠疫情尚未完全结束，各种传染性疾病此起彼伏，仍然威胁着世界各国人民的健康和生命。气候变化给人类造成越来越多的灾难并威胁着子孙后代的生存发展。而能源危机，粮食危机等又困扰着世界许多国家。面对这些全球性问题，没有哪个国家可以幸免，没有哪个人群可以独善。亚洲青年要在应对这些全球性问题方面发挥积极的、建设性的作用。要让世界听到亚洲青年的声音，看到亚洲青年的行动，认知亚洲青年的贡献。
四、亚洲青年要加强交流与合作。亚洲的文明和价值既体现了亚洲的共性，又包容了亚洲的多元性，加之亚洲发展的差异性，各国的利益诉求和目标不尽一致。有差异是在情理之中，有分歧也在所难免，而缩小差异，化解分歧，形成共识最有效的途径就是对话交流。多走动、多接触、多交流，才能增进相互了解；相互理解才能增进相互信任，凝聚亚洲共识，树立亚洲共同体的理念。亚洲青年加强交流与对话尤为重要。只有亚洲青年能谈到一块儿，能想到一块儿，能做到一块儿，只有亚洲青年培植起友好的感情，建立起相互的信任，亚洲国家才会团结合作，同舟共济，打造一个繁荣和发展的新的亚洲世纪才有希望。
举办亚洲青年论坛的根本目的就是要为亚洲青年提供一个交流与对话的渠道，提供一个增进友好，拉近彼此心距的机会，提供一个展示亚洲青年聪明才智的平台。
希望大家借助这个渠道，抓住这个机会，用好这个平台。如能达到我们办论坛的这个初心，这个论坛的召开就很值了，就成功了。谢谢大家！
Wu Hailong calls for building a new Asian century of development and prosperity
On 25 March, Wu Hailong, president of China Public Diplomacy Association, delivered his remarks at the Opening Ceremony of the Asia Youth Leaders Forum. Following is the full text of the remarks.
Distinguished guests,
Dear friends from Asia,
On behalf of China Public Diplomacy Association, I would like to extend my warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to all delegates at the Asia Youth Leaders Forum. I’ve had the privilege of participating in two sessions of the forum. By interacting with young people, we ourselves will feel younger.
Today, the young generation in Asia is fortunate to live in a good era, and unfortunate as well to live in a bad era. It is good because this era is developing in an unprecedented direction for progress within the long flow of human history. It is good because this is the era of the greatest development in the human civilization and economic and social development. It is good because the rapid development of science and technology has provided unmatched convenience for human life and unparalleled means for humanity to explore and transform nature. It is good because this era offers young people more opportunities to develop and more space for creativity. This era is an era that belongs to the young people.
It is bad because this era is more turbulent, more uncertain, and fraught with more and greater risks, difficulties, and challenges than ever before. It is bad because there is rampant hegemony and supremacy, continuing geopolitical conflicts, intensifying bloc confrontations, and increasing insecurity of the world. It is bad because climate change, infectious diseases, and environmental degradation have caused humanity greater disasters and damage.
Be it good or bad, we have no choice but to face it. What we can do is make this bad era a little better and make this good era much better. This is the mission and responsibility of this generation of young Asians.
Asia is the brightest and most promising land in the global outlook. Young friends of Asia, you are lucky to live on this land. This is a fertile land for human civilizations, for the creation of splendid cultures, for the realization of miracles of modern social and economic development, and for great potential still.
Our forefathers and fathers used their brawn and brain and their unremitting efforts to accumulate the material and spiritual wealth of today for our generation. We must not only inherit and keep this wealth, but also continue their endeavors and missions for a better future, to build this fertile land of Asia into a more prosperous and powerful place and write a new chapter for humanity’s progress.
Each generation has its missions and responsibilities, and every generation has its problems to tackle. In this world of great changes, how to maintain peace and stability in Asia, how to promote Asian prosperity and development, and how to create a new Asian century, these are the questions asked of Asian youth. As a friend of youth, I believe these are the most important for young people in Asia:
First, Asian youth should be defenders and promoters of peace and stability. Chairperson Gao Yunlong emphasized this in particular in his address just now. Peace and stability are the prerequisites for every good outcome. Why has Asia been able to sustain its development for decades? Why is Asia so dynamic? Why are people optimistic about Asia’s prospects? This is because Asia always maintains an environment of peace and stability in general. The people of Asia have been reaping the benefits of peace for decades. Imagine Asian countries do not trust each other and dive in clashes and confrontations all the time. Then how can Asia’s economy develop? How can the integration of Asia progress? How can the well-being of Asians be guaranteed?
Right now, certain countries are trying to draw a line based on values, instigate Asian countries to engage in camp confrontations, force Asian countries to choose sides, and constantly make troubles in the region. These countries are in fact trying to divide Asia, disrupt Asia, and damage Asia. Therefore, it is more pressing and important than ever for Asian countries to maintain peace and stability, sustain unity and cooperation, and retain a clear head and determination.
Maintaining peace and stability in Asia is not only a matter for politicians, but also for the people of all Asian countries and for Asian youth. Perhaps some young people will say, “We are not interested in politics.” You can dislike politics, but you can’t go on without a peaceful environment. You can care less about what’s happening, but you need a tranquil life. Therefore, Asian youth should be defenders, advocates, and promoters of peace and stability, and endeavor to fulfil the responsibilities of safeguarding the unity, cooperation, and friendship between Asian countries.
Second, Asian youth should be leaders of Asia’s development. Development is the foundation of all. If Asia wants to secure a place in global development, it must seize the moment to pioneer and innovate, taking the road that no one dared to take or has taken. The development of Asia in the past few decades has laid a solid foundation and provided favorable conditions for future development. Asian youth should make full use of these conditions and enable scientific and technological innovation and new economic forms as the new driving forces for Asia’s development. You should strive for the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, digital economy, artificial intelligence, new energy, low-carbon development, etc., and make new waves of new industrial revolution and world development. As long as you are able, there will be hope for Asia’s rejuvenation. As long as you succeed, Asia will win.
Third, Asian youth should have great ambitions, keep both Asia and the world in mind, and contribute to the solution of global problems. While the COVID-19 pandemic is not completely over, various infectious diseases are emerging one after another, threatening the health and lives of people around the world. Climate change is causing humanity more and more disasters and endangering the survival and development of future generations. Energy crises and food crises are plaguing many countries in the world. In the face of these global problems, no country is immune, and no group of people can stand out alone. Young people in Asia should play an active and constructive role in addressing these global issues. Let the world hear the voices of Asian youth, behold the actions of Asian youth, and recognize the contribution of Asian youth.
Fourth, Asian youth should strengthen exchanges and cooperation. Asia’s cultures and values not only reflect the commonality of Asia, but also its diversity. What with the differences in development, the interests and goals of Asian countries are not identical. Differences are reasonable, and disagreements are inevitable. The most effective way to narrow differences, resolve disagreements, and build consensus is through dialogues and exchanges. Only through more frequent visits, contact, and interactions can we enhance mutual understanding. And only through mutual understanding can we build mutual trust, consolidate the Asian consensus, and establish the concept of the Asian community. It is particularly important for Asian youth to strengthen communication. Only when Asian youth reach a common ground on discussions, thinking, and actions, and only when Asian youth cultivate friendly feelings and build mutual trust, can Asian countries unite and work together, leaving hope for the building of a new Asian century of prosperity and development.
The fundamental purpose of the Asia Youth Leaders Forum is to provide Asian youth with a channel for exchanges and dialogues, an opportunity to enhance friendship and narrow the distance between each other, and a platform to showcase the talents and geniuses. I hope that you will make good use of this channel, this opportunity, and this platform. If we can achieve this purpose, this forum will be worthwhile and successful. Thank you.
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