Between 23 and 30 June, Maltese teenager Thiago Jo Said from Gozo, who earned the title of Junior Cultural ambassador 2023, joined 22 other winners from 20 different countries in Beijing. Besides taking part in various cultural activities, he attended the 2023 Award Ceremony of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation’s Junior Cultural Ambassadors event.

“This was an unforgettable experience. I had never visited China before and was enchanted by the friendly Chinese people, the beautiful culture, the exquisite architecture and the stunning natural scenery. It was also a wonderful moment to make new friends from around the world and to connect with other teenagers who shared my interests,” said Thiago.

His mother, Cynthia Saliba, who accompanied him on this trip to China, described it as highly valuable for her son, who has a strong interest in China and is currently studying the Chinese language at the China Cultural Centre in Malta. It was also her first time in China, and she was delighted to discover the country’s beauty, its welcoming people and the overall sense of safety.