Project Introduction of 2025 Future Close-up

I. Project Background

Future Close-up is a high-quality global youth exchange and visit initiative jointly launched by the China International Communication Group (CICG) Center for the Americas Center (Beijing Review) and Tencent in 2023. It has successfully held two editions to date.

Through long-term operation of overseas communities, the project has accumulated a network of over 3,000 outstanding young individuals from five continents and more than 30 countries. It has achieved widespread dissemination abroad and significant impact domestically, with a cumulative overseas reach exceeding 2 million and domestic reach surpassing 70 million on media over the past two years.

II. Project Highlights

(1) International Communication-Oriented Recruitment of Influential Youth:

The selection process focuses on the professional influence and communication capabilities of young individuals in an international context. Many selected participants come from the technology and media sectors and are social media influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers on overseas platforms. During their stay in China, they are required to produce daily short videos for dissemination.

(2) Immersive Experience of China’s Digital Lifestyle:

The project emphasizes an immersive experience of China’s digital economy. In addition to specific visits, overseas youth representatives are required to use mobile payments for services like hailing rides, ordering food, and taking public transport, becoming practitioners and communicators of China’s convenient lifestyle.

(3) Compiling Activity Highlights and Publishing Industry Reports:

In addition to rich practical tasks, the project produces a global white paper based on global data research and participant feedback. The 2023 report, “Global Youth Insights on the Digital Economy: How the Digital Economy Makes the World Better,” and the 2024 report, “Overseas Youth Experiences of China’s Digital Lifestyle,” were widely covered by China’s mainstream media such as China Central Television.The 2025 project will focus more on China’s regional development, moving from exchange to consensus-building, gathering youthful voices and uniting young forces to contribute to the community with a shared future for mankind.

(4) Engaging Various Stakeholders in International Communication:

The project has garnered support from the Communication University of China, Tsinghua University, the Liaoning Provincial Department of Commerce, the Hong Kong Federation of Liaoning Associations, the Xiong’an New Area Administrative Committee, and various provincial and municipal governments in China, forming a broader collaborative network.

III. 2025 Future Close-up Youth Project Introduction

(1) Basic Information

Name: 2025 Future Close-up & Bay Area Investment and Innovation Conference

Theme: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Collaboration for Shared High-Quality Development

Objective: Focus on the development of China in the new era and the Greater Bay Area, highlighting Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a financial and technological city backed by the Greater Bay Area, as well as the innovative concept of efficient linkage and comprehensive development in the region’s industry, academia, and commerce. The project aims to enhance international youth’s understanding of the Greater Bay Area and China’s regional development, reflecting the values of peace, inclusiveness, openness

Organizers: CICG Center for the Americas, Tencent, etc.

Time: Tentatively scheduled for June 2025

(2) Participant Composition

This session will invite elite youth from both overseas and China, selecting 18 foreign +9 Chinese young influencers from various fields to form “2:1 pairs” to undertake different tasks.

(3) Itinerary (Tentative)

Day 1: Hong Kong

Morning: Welcome ceremony, university/academic research center visit and exchange

Afternoon: Hong Kong Stock Exchange visit and exchange

Day 2: Shenzhen

Morning: Tencent visit and exchange – showcasing China’s internet product strength and technology for good practices

Afternoon: BYD visit and exchange – understanding China’s intelligent manufacturing

Day 3: Hengqin New Area

Morning: Research on Hengqin New Area development

Afternoon: Exchange with local Macao youth

Day 4: Foshan

All day: Visit and research rural revitalization in Ruxi Village, Xiqiao Town, Nanhai District, understanding local economic development experiences

Day 5: Urban Innovation and Mutual Learning Planning Day (Exploration/Free Visit/Preparation)

Morning:

1. (Great Ideas to Great Bay Area) Global youth brainstorming session to provide suggestions for the Greater Bay Area.

2. Free exploration, documentation, and content dissemination on respective communication channels.

Afternoon:

(Great Takeaways from Great Bay Area) In groups of three, based on the past few days’ observations, output a “Transformation Plan” using Greater Bay Area experiences for their hometowns, detailing the elements borrowed from the Greater Bay Area, project execution plans, required support (technical, product, talent, etc.), and expected outcomes.

Day 6: Closing Ceremony and Overseas Youth Bay Area Experience Innovation and Investment Conference + Program Recording + Media Interviews

Morning: Event rehearsal

Afternoon:

[Session 1]: Overseas Youth Bay Area Experience Innovation and Investment Conference Demo Day

Presenters: International and Chinese youth groups present their proposals one by one.

Supporters: Greater Bay Area elite representatives, Tencent business line representatives, and other overseas youth with resources.

Judges: Representatives from Tencent, BYD, Hong Kong enterprises, and other industry leaders.

Bidding Rules:

Each presenter explains their proposal, including challenges, transformation plans inspired by Greater Bay Area experiences, and expected outcomes (to be completed within three months). Supporters in the audience can choose to participate by offering technical support or business guidance. Judges (industry representatives) will determine the level of support and resources each presenter will receive.

[Session 2]: Recording of the Chinese satellite TV show

Outstanding youth from the investment conference will be invited to participate in the recording of the TV show with Professor Zhang Weiwei and other distinguished guests and sharing their week-long learning experiences and insights.

Editor: Zhongxiaowen