The 2025 International Youth Dialogue on Canal Civilization was held in Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province on June 3. 

The event brought together more than 100 participants, including guests from over ten countries such as Thailand, Chile and Kenya, as well as scholars from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Yangzhou University and other institutions. 

Yangzhou is the starting point of Hangou Canal, also known as the ancient section of the Grand Canal. Completed and maintained by successive dynasties, the Grand Canal is a vast waterway system stretching from Beijing in the north to Zhejiang province in the south. It has played a significant role in facilitating trade, economic prosperity, cultural exchange, and social development. Over 1,000 kilometers of the canal were recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2014.

During the event, young participants took part in various programs, including case studies and creative workshops. Scholars and experts visited cultural landmarks such as the China Grand Canal Museum, the Sanwan Ancient Canal Waterfront Platform, Slender West Lake, the Marco Polo Memorial Hall, and the historic Dongguan Street, gaining insights into Yangzhou’s reputation as the "the canal capital of the world". 

Hervé Juvin, a former member of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, said his first visit to Yangzhou helped him understand how the canal promoted trade prosperity throughout history and how it continues to play a key role today. He also expressed his hope to learn more about China’s history and culture through the legacy of the Grand Canal.