From Pancakes to Libraries: How Youth Are Redefining Diplomacy
As the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of key anti-fascist victories in 2025, a fresh wave of cultural exchange is brewing—and Gen Z is leading the charge. 🌍💡 CGTN recently paired Chinese and Russian students for a unique ‘life swap’ challenge, where they explored each other’s countries through local must-do lists.
Moscow Through New Eyes
Chinese student Lu Ying dove into Russian culture headfirst at Moscow’s People’s Friendship University. Her checklist? Tasting syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes 🥞), strolling through Gorky Park’s autumn foliage, and geeking out at the historic Lenin Library. "It’s like Chinese fried milk but fluffier!" she laughed, bridging culinary worlds one bite at a time.
Between museum hops and metro rides, Lu discovered that Moscow’s rhythm wasn’t so different from home. "We’re neighbors sharing digital memes and historic memories," she reflected, vlogging her journey for peers back in China.
Why This Matters
As geopolitics evolves, youth like Lu are crafting new channels for cross-border understanding—proving TikTok diplomacy can go hand-in-hand with library deep dives. 📚✨ Could this be the blueprint for 21st-century cultural ties? One thing’s clear: The kids are more than alright.
