In the warm glow of the autumn afternoon on Sept 21 in Dunhuang, Northwest Gansu province, near the edge of the Gobi sands — some 70 young voices from China and ASEAN gathered, buzzing with energy and ideas.

The 2025 Dunhuang Forum was underway and in the room, the ancient Silk Road felt alive once more — not with the clatter of caravans, but with dialogue, laughter and ambition.

Mark Michael Oracion Unlu-Cay, representing the ASEAN Youth Organization, reflected on China's dual role as guardian of heritage and leader of the future: From the breathtaking ancient treasures of the Mogao Caves to breakthroughs in space exploration, from pioneering green technologies to advances in artificial intelligence.

"Solidarity is the key to progress," he declared, reminding everyone that climate change, pandemics and digital disruption respect no borders.

Through the collective voice of ASEAN and China — nearly 2 billion people — it was felt that cooperation could triumph over conflict.

"Let it proclaim that we, the youth of ASEAN and China, rose together, united in purpose, shaping a future brighter than any one civilization could ever imagine alone," he said.

Quoting an ancient Chinese proverb, he added: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," urging that today's dialogue be that step — towards peace, shared prosperity and a common humanity.

Priskila Millena, an Indonesian project officer at the ASEAN Secretariat, offered a complementary vision, rooted in the digital age.

"I am fascinated by artificial intelligence," she explained, "but more than that, it's about creating a community — ASEAN and China youth coming together, sharing ideas and collaborating through digital platforms."

TikTok, WeChat and Instagram — these were more than social media; they were channels for engagement, for turning cultural knowledge into collective action.

She emphasized that young people often receive information without fully knowing how to leverage it — but with digital tools, knowledge about China's culture, innovation and social initiatives could be transformed into tangible cooperation.

Together, their words painted a compelling picture: One of youth not as passive observers of civilization, but as active participants — weaving together heritage and innovation, digital technology and human connection.

In the forum room, the desert wind outside seemed to carry not just sand, but the echoes of ancient trade routes, now repurposed for dialogue, creativity and solidarity.