Unveiling China-Kazakhstan Young Digital People

On the afternoon of November 25, the Opening Ceremony of the Cultural Festival of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Launching Ceremony of Digital People for China-Kazakhstan Youth Friendship took place in Beijing. The event marked the official release of the video clip titled "Just Like You", showcasing the debut of Digital People for China-Kazakhstan Youth Friendship. Produced by Beijing ZGC Tongli Technology Service Co., Ltd and ZGC Science Fiction Industry Innovation Centre, the video was co-produced by CICG Center for International Cultural Communication, Migu Culture Technology Co., Ltd, and Beijing Yuanke ARCA Technology Co. Ltd. Through depicting the daily lives of young individuals from China and Kazakhstan, the video highlights their shared values, global perspective on communication and optimistic outlook on life.

Askar Shalkarbayev, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Lu Cairong, Vice President of China International Communications Group, and Jia Tiesong, Deputy Director-General of China International Youth Exchange Center attended the meeting and delivered speeches.

Askar Shalkarbayev emphasized that youth exchange plays a pivotal role in cultural and humanistic collaboration. Today's young generation exhibits a keen interest in intercultural communication and endeavors to showcase their country's culture to the world. The Kazakhstani youth have achieved remarkable milestones in various domains such as science, music, cinema and sports, thereby showcasing the distinctive allure of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the global platform. The short film "Just like me" further illustrates the shared values and aspirations between the youth of Kazakhstan and China, transcending national boundaries. It is firmly believed that the young people of China and Kazakhstan possess exceptional abilities and talents, enabling them to contribute significantly to the development of both nations.

Lu Cairong highlighted the geographical and cultural ties between China and Kazakhstan. As the oldest comprehensive international communication institution in China, CICG has persistently fostered cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and foreign nations. Deep friendships and productive collaborations have been established with various institutions in Kazakhstan, including the government, media and think tanks. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the successful launch of digital people for China-Kazakhstan youth friendship signifies the joint progress of bilateral relations in the new era, characterized by a shared future, mutual trust and shared joys and sorrows. This endeavor sets forth a splendid blueprint for mutual exchange and learning between China and Kazakhstan. CICG will partner with the Kazakhstani government and cultural institutions to build enduring platforms for cultural exchange and cooperation. Our collective aim is to harness wisdom and strength, fostering deeper friendship and consensus among our peoples.

Jia Tiesong expressed that Kazakhstan possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage that captivates people worldwide. The organization of the Kazakhstan Cultural Festival provides Chinese youth with a unique opportunity to intimately experience the charm of Kazakh culture. The creation of digital people for China-Kazakhstan youth friendship, combining emerging technology and culture, introduces a new dimension to the exchange between Chinese and Kazakh youth. This initiative facilitates mutual understanding, showcases the history, culture and art, and exemplifies the fruitful achievements resulting from the humanities and scientific cooperation between the two nations. Seizing this opportunity, the youth of both countries will actively engage in the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road and contribute to the realization of a promising future for the shared prosperity of China and Kazakhstan.

Subsequently, Askar Shalkarbayev, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Lu Cairong, Vice President of China International Communications Group, Yao Peisheng, former Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Jia Tiesong, Deputy Director-General of China International Youth Exchange Centre, Gao Chen, Deputy Director of Eurasia Division, Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, Geng Ruixue, Deputy Director of Zhongguancun Shijingshan Park Management Committee, Kuang Tiemei, Deputy General Manager of Migu, Sun Shicheng, General Manager of Beijing ZGC Tongli Technology Service Co., Ltd, and Yang Yi, Vice President of LUSTER LightTech Co., Ltd., joined their hands in pressing their handprints, officially unveiling the image of the China-Kazakhstan Young Digital People.

"Just Like You": Unveiling the China-Kazakhstan Young Digital People Image

The inaugural video of China-Kazakhstan Young Digital People comprises four chapters: Debut, Culture, Dimension and Breaking the Dimension. Through showcasing the resilient and self-assured demeanor of the youth from both nations in the face of challenges and their personal interests, as well as their inclination to break with conventions and pursue innovation, the video introduces the image of the China-Kazakhstan Young Digital People. It conveys the notion that youth exchanges, science and technology, and cultural interactions transcend borders. This portrayal of young individuals from both countries contributes to fostering youth-driven collaboration between China and Kazakhstan and sets the stage for the forthcoming Kazakhstan Tourism Year.

The creation and design of the two young digital people were undertaken by students from Tsinghua University and Kazakhstan State University. The essential details regarding the digital people's appearance, personality, blood type and zodiac signs were finalized. The Chinese youth digital person, Yi Yang, was born on November 29, 2002, under the sign of Sagittarius in the Chinese Zodiac, representing the Horse. The Kazakhstani youth digital person, Сұлу (pronounced: Sulu), was born on June 8, 2003, as a Gemini in the Chinese Zodiac, symbolizing the Sheep. In the unveiling video, these two youthful figures exhibit their unwavering determination and self-assured attitude when faced with challenges, as well as their unique interests. They fearlessly break with tradition and embrace innovative ways of thinking. The image of the China-Kazakhstan Young Digital People serves as a symbol of the profound friendship shared between the youth of both countries, and the two digital figures will embark on their own digital journey of life.

A Multi-party Effort: Young Digital People from 0 to 2

In their talks earlier this year, the heads of state of China and Kazakhstan underscored the ongoing deepening of the enduring comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. Notable initiatives include expanding collaboration in emerging areas such as e-commerce, big data, artificial intelligence and 5G. Both countries will establish cultural centers for mutual benefit and enhance cooperation in education, science, arts, sports, tourism, press and publication, radio and television broadcasting, and film production. During the Third Belt and Road Summit on International Cooperation, President Xi Jinping of China announced eight measures to support the high-quality co-construction of the Belt and Road. Among them, he highlighted the promotion of scientific and technological innovation, stating China's commitment to implementing the Belt and Road Action Plan on Scientific and Technological Innovation. Furthermore, China proposed hosting the inaugural Belt and Road Conference on Scientific and Technological Exchanges, along with a series of other plans, thereby making scientific and technological innovation a significant frontier for international cooperation.

In 2024, an important year for Kazakhstan's tourism in China, significant economic and scientific-cultural exchanges will take place between the two countries. Capitalizing on this opportunity, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in China, CICG Centre for International Cultural Communication, and Beijing ZGC Tongli Technology Service Co. Ltd, co-initiators of the China-Kazakhstan Friendship Among the Youth, coordinated the collaborative creation of digital figures by talented young individuals from both China and Kazakhstan. In mid-October of this year, CICG Center for International Cultural Communication and Beijing ZGC Tongli Technology Service Co., Ltd jointly organized a global youth multi-cultural forum, facilitating online exchanges in science, technology and culture between Chinese and Kazakh youth. The event was live-streamed on China.org, where the specific process and concepts for constructing the digital figures were established. Chinese and Kazakh participants freely shared their opinions during the discussion, gradually developing the image of the two digital youths from scratch. The Tsinghua University-Tsingshang Joint Institute for Smart Scene Innovation Design, as the unit responsible for image design, actively participated in the deliberations.

Beijing ZGC Tongli Technology Service Co., Ltd took the lead in the digital production phase, ensuring coordination among all parties involved. Technical support for the construction of the digital figures was provided by the Light Field Common Technology Platform, guided by the Beijing Science and Technology Commission and ZGC Administrative Committee. The platform is situated within the ZGC Science Fiction Industry Innovation Centre, and the construction and operation of the platform are jointly funded by Beijing ZGC Tongli Technology Service Co., Ltd, LUSTER LightTech Co., Ltd, and Yuanke ARCA Technology Co., Ltd. LUSTER LightTech Co., Ltd and Migu Culture Technology Co., Ltd are at the forefront of managing the platform, primarily offering light field common technology services for the science fiction and meta-universe industries.

Future Prospects: Expanding New Paths of Scientific, Technical and Cultural Exchanges

The potential application scenarios for digital people are extensive. They can be present in various cultural and tourism events, acting as event hosts, expert tour guides for natural landscapes, museum docents, and even join live broadcasts to promote local specialties. Digital people can also participate in a wide range of international exchange activities, engaging in cooperation across education, science, art, sports, tourism, press and publication, radio and television broadcasting, and film production. Their involvement can lead to enhanced collaboration and innovation between the people of both countries in the realms of culture, science and technology.

During the initial stages of developing the digital people, extensive discussions were held among all parties regarding their potential application scenarios. Moving forward, Beijing ZGC Tongli Technology Service Co., Ltd will take on a leading role, leveraging its expertise and connecting with professional resources to deploy the digital figures across various fields. They will actively participate in international exchange activities through live events, video content production, and hosting endorsements for humanities and science and technology-related activities. The Embassy of Kazakhstan in China also aims to incorporate the representation of the Kazakhstani young digital person into future exchange activities. They intend to further develop the digital figure's intellectual property (IP) to create a symbol and endorsement of cultural exchanges between the youth of China and Kazakhstan, serving as a significant milestone in their shared memories.

Simultaneously, the digital figure embodying the image of China will actively engage in international exchange activities, serving as the youthful face of China's friendly engagements abroad. A preliminary agreement for cooperation has been established with CICG Centre for International Cultural Communication.