On July 29, 2025, the World Youth Conference for Peace, themed “Together for Peace,” was held at Peking University. President Xi Jinping sent a message to the conference, fully affirming the important role of youth in the pursuit of peace, and provided direction for global youth on contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The event was co-organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the All-China Youth Federation, and Peking University. It attracted around 3,000 participants, including youth representatives from all five continents, heads of youth organizations from various countries, and international students studying in China.
At the invitation of the event organizers, Beijing Dance Academy brought together 32 of its Chinese and international students to perform the original dance piece The Latitude and Longitude of the World as the grand finale of the World Youth Conference for Peace, delivering a heartfelt tribute to the event.
Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Xi Jinping said in the message that the Chinese people, together with people around the world, completely defeated fascism and secured a hard-won peace through bloody battles 80 years ago.
Xi Jinping stressed that the future of peace lies with the youth, voicing the hope that young friends from all countries will take this event as an opportunity to exchange ideas, enhance mutual understanding, and build friendships. Xi Jinping encouraged them to champion the vision of peace and contribute to peaceful development and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Li Hongzhong, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, read out President Xi Jinping’s message at the conference.
The piece, The Latitude and Longitude of the World, was choreographed by international students at Beijing Dance Academy, who collaborated with their domestic peers to bring it to the stage. Through the fusion of diverse cultural dance elements, the piece took “The Light of Peace, The Voice of Youth, The World’s Commitment” as the theme to convey the younger generation’s deep understanding and passionate pursuit of peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit. The students of Beijing Dance Academy used dance as a medium to convey the concept of peace through their movements, highlighting their sense of youth responsibility. The performance vividly showcased the positive attitudes of both Chinese and international youth embracing cultural diversity, fostering global friendships, and uniting across borders with a shared spirit. It was not only an artistic fusion and innovation but also a vivid demonstration of the youth’s contribution to global peacebuilding.
During the World Youth Conference for Peace, representatives of Chinese and foreign youth jointly issued the World Youth Peace Initiative, uniting young people across the globe in a shared commitment to peace and development, and infusing the future of peace with vibrant youthful energy. Beijing Dance Academy has long been committed to nurturing high-quality dance talent, and in supporting national diplomatic goals and the development of Beijing into a “center for international exchanges,” the Academy actively leverages the unique role of dance culture, focusing on creating an internationally influential platform for exchange. Moving forward, the Academy will continue to use art as a bridge to enhance cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and international youth, contributing to mutual learning among civilizations and to world peace, thus ensuring that the voice of peace echoes on the global stage.
Source: Official Website of Beijing Dance Academy, News Issue No. 1850, 2025 Issue No. 122
