Brussels, 02/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Around 160 young people from China and Europe attended the second flagship event of the China-EU Year of Youth, in Beijing on 23 February. This follows on from the first opening event in Brussels in January, when more than 200 participants took part in workshops and debates. In a video message, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso underlined the key role of Chinese and European youth in building bridges of mutual understanding and friendship. He also stressed that this Year is an opportunity to reinforce and reinvigorate peaceful relationships between the EU and China. 2011 was designated as the Year of Youth after 35 years of relations between EU and China, and seeks to promote intercultural dialogue between European and Chinese youth. Several events have been planned, including a Youth Festival in Shenzhen and an EU-China Green Week. The EU-China Year of Youth also coincides with the European Year of Volunteering and the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteering. For this reason, voluntary activities involving young Europeans and Chinese will be encouraged throughout the year. European Youth Forum President Peter Matjašiè said that “we had the chance to exchange experiences and ideas about volunteering, sustainable development, innovation and entrepreneurship”. Thanks to the close cooperation between youth organisations, governments and institutions and the support of the private sector, the Year of Youth will lift mutual understanding and friendship to new heights and have a huge impact on future relations between the peoples of Europe and China, the European Youth Forum says. (I.L./transl.rt)