From July 6 to 10, twenty-one young scholars from ten countries, including the United Kingdom, Russia, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc., convened at Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai (BNU Zhuhai) for the "Innovation and Development of China's New Economy" Global Youth Elite Summer Camp. Hosted by the Bay Area International Business School (BIBS), the five-day program offered an immersive exploration of China's economic transformation through academic lectures, corporate site visits, urban cultural tours, and cross-cultural dialogue.
The camp marks a continued effort by BIBS to build an open international academic exchange platform and to foster mutual learning among future leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Opening Ceremony Sets the Tone for Cross-Cultural Engagement
The camp officially kicked off on the morning of July 6 with an opening ceremony attended by Dai Wei, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of BNU Zhuhai, Secretary-General of BNU Zhuhai; Qiu Yue, Deputy Director of the International Office of BNU Zhuhai; Cui Chuantao, Assistant Dean of BIBS; and Xie Yi, the International Cooperation Program Director. The ceremony was moderated by faculty members Han Zheng and Wu Yanan.
In his address, Dai Wei underscored the role of universities as vital bridges for cross-civilizational dialogue and for presenting China's development narrative to international audiences. He said that this summer camp embodied BIBS’s commitment to creating a diverse and open academic environment. He encouraged participants to fully engage and return home with enriched perspectives.
Cui Chuantao highlighted BIBS's educational achievements since its establishment in 2021, particularly its integrated bachelor's-master's-doctoral programs and its highly internationalized faculty. He noted that the camp was designed to provide participants with firsthand exposure to the innovative dynamics of the Greater Bay Area while building lasting international friendships through collaborative learning.
Participant representatives from Russia and Ethiopia shared personal thoughts about this camp, expressing enthusiasm for cross-border cooperation and underscoring the value of genuine connection in international exchange. Then, Xie Yi briefed attendees on the camp's three core pillars—academic seminars, enterprise visits, and cultural experiences—and outlined safety protocols and conduct guidelines. Subsequently, Qiu Yue officially announced the opening of the summer camp.
Following the formal proceedings, participants toured the campus library, canteen, and science and engineering facilities and took part in ice-breaking activities to build rapport across nationalities.
Enterprise Visits Offer Firsthand Look at Innovation and Smart Manufacturing
On the afternoon of July 6, participants visited the Zhuhai By-health Transparent Factory, where they observed integrated operations spanning precision testing, intelligent automated production, and nutritional science education—gaining concrete insights into China's smart manufacturing capabilities and quality control standards in the health industry.
On the afternoon of July 8, the group traveled to the Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Technology Park, where they reviewed the company's growth trajectory and global expansion strategy, examined cutting-edge automotive technologies, and engaged in detailed discussions with company representatives on topics including new energy vehicle overseas market entry and commercial potential.
Distinguished Academic Experts Deliver Comprehensive Lectures on New Economy Frameworks
Three special lectures formed the academic backbone of the summer camp, each designed to build participants' understanding of China's new economy from different angles.
Professor Wang Dong from Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen) traced the development of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone to illuminate the policy architecture behind China's dual-carbon goals, using corporate case studies to analyze ESG implementation.
Associate Professor Li Yang from the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) drew on successful Chinese brands—Mixue Ice Cream & Tea and Pop Mart—to deconstruct emerging overseas marketing trends, including fragmented consumer communication and emotion-driven consumption, while mapping out pathways for brand globalization.
Professor Qiu Lingyun from Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University compared e-commerce models in China and the United States, explained the regulatory framework governing platform economies, and provided detailed analyses of emerging sectors such as live-stream commerce, social e-commerce, and the highly efficient domestic logistics systems that support them.
Taken together, the lectures offered participants a coherent and multidimensional framework for understanding the drivers and distinctive characteristics of China's new economy.
Cultural Immersion Reveals Heritage of Greater Bay Area Cities
On the afternoon of July 7, participants visited the Zhuhai Museum and the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, tracing the city's evolution from a modest fishing village to a modern special economic zone through exhibits on maritime culture and urban development. A subsequent stroll through the Riyuebei (Sun and Moon Shell) coastal business district allowed them to experience the integration of culture and tourism that defines much of the Greater Bay Area's urban appeal.
On July 9, participants split into groups for hands-on cultural workshops, including sachet crafting, intangible cultural heritage paper-cutting, Baduanjin (traditional Chinese health exercises), and calligraphy practice—activities that offered a tangible connection to China's cultural traditions.
Closing Ceremony Showcases Research Outcomes and Cultural Exchange
The camp concluded on the morning of July 10 with a closing ceremony featuring group presentations on real-world business cases, including hotel localization strategies and operational challenges facing AI-powered convenience stores. Participants analyzed these cases across dimensions such as macro-environmental factors, brand positioning, and operational risk, demonstrating strong research capabilities and business insight.
BIBS’s faculty members, including Cui Chuantao, Wu Liang, Lee Insook and Xie Yi, provided commentary on the groups' presentations to deepen participants' understanding of market economy operations in the Chinese context.
All participants received certificates of completion and shared personal reflections on their camp experience. The ceremony closed with cultural performances by participants from multiple countries, creating a lively and celebratory atmosphere that underscored the spirit of international friendship.
Looking Ahead
With a rich and well-balanced agenda, the 2026 Global Youth Elite Summer Camp successfully facilitated academic exchange, field-based learning, and cross-cultural friendship among young leaders from around the world. Looking forward, BIBS remains committed to expanding its international exchange platforms and supporting global youth in pursuing in-depth study, mutual learning, and serving as friendly bridges between China and the broader international community.
