From June 17 to 19, the 2026 International Young Leaders Exchange Program was held in Yichang. The event brought together youth organization leaders from 10 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Pakistan and Singapore.

　　During their stay in Yichang, the young delegates took a night cruise along the Yangtze River aboard a new-energy smart vessel, gaining first-hand insights into Yichang’s achievements in Yangtze River ecological conservation. They also experienced the ship-lock transit process at the Gezhouba Dam. The delegates visited the Three Gorges Dam site, toured the Memorial Park for the River Closure, the Rare Fish Conservation Center and the Yangtze River Conservation Base.

　　At the Global Civilization Initiative International Youth Forum, young participants from multiple countries engaged in dialogues on water civilization and ecological protection. In Zigui County, the hometown of Qu Yuan, the delegates observed dragon boat races, experienced traditional Dragon Boat Festival customs such as making Zongzi (rice dumplings) and crafting sachets, and toured the full-industry-chain development of Zigui’s navel orange industry.

　　The program facilitated exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign youth in the fields of ecological conservation and cultural heritage, deepening international young people’s understanding of Yangtze River conservation and traditional Chinese culture. (Sanxia Daily: Reporters/Sun Xiaoling, Correspondent/Wang Fang)