Youth and Entrepreneurship

Jiang Jiang

D ear young friends — I am honored to join you at this youth forum to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations between China and the Bahamas. On behalf of the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries， I would like to extend warm congratulations on the opening of this forum.

Despite the geographical distance between China and the Bahamas and our distinct national circumstances， our two countries and peoples have long enjoyed a deep friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 25 years ago， our bilateral relations have grown smoothly， with fruitful cooperation in a wide range of fields， setting a good example of mutual respect， equality， mutual benefit and shared prosperity between countries different in size. We have every reason to be proud of what we have accomplished over the past quarter-century， and to be confident in what lies ahead in the next 25 years and beyond.

Today， we focus on the theme of youth and entrepreneurship. It is because we are fully aware that young people are the future of every country and the hope of nations. How young people join the tide of entrepreneurship and innovation is important to the future growth of both China and the Bahamas and to global development and prosperity.

President Xi Jinping said， “The youth are pioneers who are more passionate and motivated about innovation than anyone else.” Young people are energetic， agile， enterprising and open to new things. They are in the best time of doing things. “Since ancient times， heroes have been young.” Looking at world history， most entrepreneurs， pioneers and innovators who have made outstanding contributions to the development and progress of mankind have built their careers step-by-step since they were young.

We live in a globalized world where all countries are interconnected and all things are interlinked through an intelligent network. This has provided enormous space for young people to excel， innovate and embrace entrepreneurship. However， in the face of the combined impact of changes unseen in a century and the COVID-19 pandemic， global development is also facing new and daunting challenges. Young people in China， the Bahamas and the world at large are presented with both precious opportunities to achieve career success and the historical responsibility to rise up to these challenges. Under these circumstances， what should young entrepreneurs do？ I believe the following three qualities are important to have.

First， a deep commitment to the greater good and a noble sense of mission.

As an ancient saying goes， “A person who aspires to be a saint can become a saint； a person who aspires to be a sage can become a sage.” Young people can have different life goals and career choices. But it is always important to bear in mind that “only things done in the interest of the people can be called a worthy cause.” One must always have a clear sense of right and wrong and put the greater good first， knowing that doing the right thing can lead one to profit and true success.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to generate profit. People all hope to earn more from their hard work. But for aspiring young entrepreneurs， the real worthy ambition is to keep progressing with the times and contribute to the shared future of humanity. This is how each of us can prove our worth to society and become better selves. While pursuing personal success， we need to take up social responsibilities， be generous and kind， actively serve our communities and countries and give back to society.This will help build a sound image for your startups， foster positive dynamics between business interests and social responsibilities and drive both social and economic progress. This is what it means to be a young entrepreneur in the new era.

Second， unyielding perseverance and the courage to withstand setbacks.

Starting a business is like sailing at sea and looking for treasure. The journey will not always be smooth. To learn to keep the boat steady， or even to climb back aboard after falling into the water， puts your perseverance and willpower to the test. This requires unflinching courage and firm resolve， as well as knowledge about science and the latest technological and social advancements. Anyone who has the strongest determination， tenacity and perseverance will find the way to success. Fear nothing， be patient and brave and one step at a time！

Third， emphasis on both selfreliance and a global perspective.

In the context of economic globalization， countries are more closely linked and interdependent than ever before. The daily flow of capital， technology， products， industries and people between economies has formed a close-knit global network of shared interests. The younger generation needs to look beyond the horizon. In addition to focusing on the local economy， like the pond at ones doorstep， it is important to set ones eyes on the vast ocean of the global economy and embrace its openness.

It is important to leverage ones advantages and understand the global context. One needs to be able to spot new drivers of global economic growth， analyze the dynamics and demands of the global market and make good use of global public goods. This will help you get on the express train of development， driven by new industries and new models.

Also， while being familiar with local business rules， one needs to fully understand and comply with international rules. You can play a role in improving the global economic governance system， and you can push for globalization that is more open， inclusive， balanced and beneficial for all.

Whatever the way the world changes， one thing remains unchanged： It is humanitys yearning for a better life， the desire for and pursuit of development and the enthusiasm and motivation of young entrepreneurs. The Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping are designed to facilitate consensus on cooperation and set up cooperation platforms. This has provided broad markets and great opportunities for young entrepreneurs from all countries.

I hope that young people from both China and the Bahamas will get on the express train of Chinas development， share more of Chinas development dividends and succeed in your entrepreneurial efforts.

The CPAFFC is ready to work with the Bahamas Ministry of Youth， Sports， and Culture and the Chinese embassy in the Bahamas to create more opportunities for exchanges between the young people of our two countries. You are the generation who will define our worlds future. So my message to you is： cherish your youth and seize the great opportunities， rise to the challenges and make your dreams come true. You have a great future ahead of you and a lot to contribute to an open， inclusive and beautiful world — a world that enjoys lasting peace and common prosperity.