"This is a monster infrastructure. This is the biggest bridge in the world. We need a bridge like this to connect both countries."
Standing on the observation deck of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Jesús Caicedo, CBO of Airtrace, a start-up for the Internet of Things based in Murcia, Spain, made the claim.
"There's also a bridge there. We just don't see it. I'm sure that the bridge will be seen by more and more people around the world," Mili Aliluosha, Representative of the Romanian-Chinese House, projected a closer connection between China and Europe.
Mili Aliluosha receives an interview with South in Zhuhai on July 27, 2025. (Photo: South)
On July 27, youth leaders from over 10 European countries, including Spain and Romania, arrived in Zhuhai, embarking on the final stop of the "Bridge to the Future, European Youth Leaders' Tour to the Greater Bay Area."
Events for the last stop were hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, supported by the Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and co-organized by the Zhuhai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
In the morning, at the Bridge for Peace: Dialogue between Greater Bay Area and European Youth Leaders, European youth leaders and young entrepreneurs from the GBA shared their experiences with one another.
The event was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China International Communications Group.
Canan Kus, Representative of Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Beijing, told South that as youth leaders, they have the responsibility not only to consider what Europeans can gain from their interests but also to think about common prosperity when beginning exchanges with China.
"We are all living in the same village," she added.
Canan Kus (R3), along with representatives of the youth group of the German Party DIE LINKE, receives an interview with South in Zhuhai on July 27, 2025. (Photo: South)
Echoing Kus's stance, Till Pompe, a member of the youth group of the German Party DIE LINKE, detailed climate change as an example.
Highlighting the rapid development in sustainable energy in China, he regarded climate change as a potential area for collaboration given the current climate crisis.
"This has a significant impact on many countries, especially in the Global South. So it's a challenge for all of us to fight against it together," Pompe concluded.
After the morning dialogue, young European leaders visited the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in the afternoon, hoping to establish more connections with the GBA in China.
Young European leaders listen to the introduction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai on July 27, 2025. (Photo: South)
Jesús Caicedo, CBO of Airtrace, proposed a new bridge for exchanges between China and Europe.
"Today, globalization allows us to connect everything easily and quickly. It's crucial to see what other countries are doing and take note," he noted.
Opening its doors to the world, as Caicedo observes, China is now more open than it was three decades ago. In this context, he urged the European Union to take extensive notes on China.
Jesús Caicedo delivers his speech at the Bridge for Peace: Dialogue between Greater Bay Area and European Youth Leaders in Zhuhai on July 27, 2025. (South Photo)
Impressed by the scale of GBA cities, both modern and clean, Caicedo stated that China is currently leading the world in technology, public services, infrastructure, and the development of smart cities.
"We need to build a bridge. We must connect our knowledge and services to the world. We have the responsibility to create this new generation of relationships," he added.
Reporter: Zhang Ruijun
Video & Poster: Guo Hongda
Script: Zhang Ruijun
Photo: Guo Hongda
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
Wang Yating (intern) has also contributed to the article.
