Last week, Kunming, Yunnan, played host to the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, a significant gathering that brought together over 200 influential figures from more than ten countries, including China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal. Dignitaries, diplomats, and representatives from the business and cultural sectors convened both in-person and virtually under the theme “Join Hands for Open and Inclusive Development,” aiming to forge new avenues for regional collaboration.Since its inception in 2018, the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum has served as a crucial multilateral diplomatic platform for China, South Asian nations, and Indian Ocean Rim countries. This year’s event, co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, featured an opening ceremony, three insightful sub-forums, and various thematic discussions and interviews.

Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India, highlighted the growing bond between China and South Asian countries. He noted that recent years have seen a new chapter of friendship unfold, driven by high-level exchanges, the Belt and Road Initiative, collaborations in vital livelihood sectors, and robust people-to-people connections. “We are willing to continue the time-honored friendship with South Asian countries by strengthening strategic coordination, deepening pragmatic cooperation, and expanding people-to-people exchanges, to tighten cooperation ties, and jointly grow the pie of our shared interests,” he affirmed.

Ahmed Nazim, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives, emphasized the importance of trust and mutual understanding in fostering true cooperation, citing the strong Maldives-China relationship as a testament. As an island nation, he stressed that the Maldives’ future hinges on connectivity, sustainability, and development resilience. He expressed the nation’s readiness to collaborate with China and other South Asian countries to advance open, inclusive, and sustainable regional development through enhanced connectivity, economic links, and cultural exchanges.

Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka, shared his country’s focus on transitioning to green energy, coastal ecological conservation, and sustainable agricultural development. Recognizing China’s leadership in these areas, he expressed optimism for deeper cooperation.

The forum also welcomed a perspective from beyond South Asia. Abdullah Al Saleh, Under Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy, highlighted the deep and enduring cooperation between the UAE and China in economic, technological, and cultural spheres. He noted that China is the UAE’s largest global trading partner, while the UAE is China’s largest export market and second-largest trading partner in the Middle East. Al Saleh expressed a strong desire to further collaboration with China and South Asian nations in emerging fields such as smart logistics, digital trade, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.

In an era where mental health challenges are rapidly rising among the youth of Bangladesh, a young changemaker, Md Faysal Kana, has stepped up to combat this silent epidemic. Through his mental health organization, Talk Hope, Faysal and his dedicated team are bringing awareness, support, and counseling to thousands of young individuals who often suffer in silence.

The Birth of Talk Hope

Founded on February 29, 2024, Talk Hope emerged from a personal realization that the youth of Bangladesh desperately need a safe space to talk about their mental struggles. Md Faysal Kana, having worked closely with young people, observed that many were battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts without access to support or even understanding from society.

“Too many young people are silently drowning in pain because they think no one will understand or listen. Talk Hope was created to break that silence,” said Faysal.

A Vision Rooted in Compassion

The mission of Talk Hope is simple yet powerful: to build a mentally healthy youth population in Bangladesh through awareness, education, and accessible support. The organization’s vision is to create a stigma-free society where mental health is treated with the same urgency as physical health.

With this guiding philosophy, the Talk Hope team has taken mental health advocacy to schools, colleges, and universities across the country. So far, they have reached more than 30,000 students through direct sessions.

Talk For Hope seminar

What They Do

1. Awareness Programs:
Talk Hope organizes workshops, seminars, and open discussions at educational institutions. These sessions address the causes and symptoms of depression, the importance of mental health, and how to seek help. Each session is interactive, empathetic, and designed to make participants feel safe and heard.

2. Free Online Counseling:
One of the organization’s most impactful initiatives is its free online counseling service. Through their Facebook page and other digital platforms, licensed mental health professionals offer one-on-one support to those in need.

3. Social Media Engagement:
Understanding the digital habits of today’s youth, Talk Hope actively creates and shares informative content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Their posts include coping tips, motivational messages, real-life stories, and live Q&A sessions with experts.

The Team Behind Talk Hope

At the heart of the initiative is a team of mental health advocates, psychologists, and youth volunteers. One of the organization’s key figures is Dr. Mila Ismail, a clinical psychologist who regularly provides therapeutic services through Talk Hope’s online platform.

Talk Hope chief Coordinator Md faysal kanan conducting a mental health awarness session at “Talk For Hope” seminar

“Many of our young clients just need someone to talk to — someone who won’t judge them. We’re here to offer that support and guide them toward healing,” said Dr. Ismail.

From Awareness to Action

Beyond awareness, Talk Hope actively works to identify students at high risk and refers them to further professional help when needed. In some cases, their interventions have prevented suicides and helped youth get back on the path to a hopeful life.

Faysal shared the story of a 17-year-old girl who reached out during one of their school programs. “She was self-harming and had suicidal thoughts. After months of counseling, she is now back in school and even volunteers with us. This is the impact we strive for,” he said.

Dreams for the Future

Faysal’s next goal is to establish Bangladesh’s first 24/7 free mental health call center dedicated to youth. “Imagine a place where anyone, at any hour, can call and talk to a trained counselor for free. We want to build that – because mental health emergencies don’t wait for office hours,” he explained.

He also envisions setting up local mental health clubs in schools and colleges so that peer-to-peer support becomes the norm, not the exception.

Challenges on the Road

Building a movement around mental health is not without its hurdles. Stigma remains a significant barrier. Many parents and even institutions are reluctant to allow mental health discussions. There is also a lack of funding and resources.

Yet Faysal remains undeterred. “I believe that when we save one life, it’s worth more than all the challenges combined,” he says.

Community Support and Growth

Talk Hope is gaining recognition not just from youth, but also from educators, health professionals, and the broader community. Their Facebook community is growing rapidly, and collaboration offers from national and international mental health networks are starting to pour in.

“We are not stopping here. Mental health awareness is not a trend — it’s a necessity,” Faysal emphasizes.

Final Thoughts

In a society where mental illness is still whispered in shadows, Talk Hope is a beacon of light, giving voice to the voiceless and hope to the hopeless. Thanks to Md Faysal Kana and his team’s tireless work, thousands of young people are now realizing that they are not alone.

China Correspondent: To facilitate a profound comprehension of China’s esteemed traditional culture among international students and teachers and to promote cultural exchanges between China and other nations, Sanming University initiated a distinctive winter vacation social practice program titled “Drawing Wisdom from Classics of Chinese Thought and Telling Chinese Stories Well.”

From January 20 to 21, 2025, the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages) of Sanming University, in collaboration with the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, organized this event in Youxi County, Sanming City, Fujian Province, China. During the event, the delegation visited Guifeng Ancient Village, the Confucian Temple, the Zhuzi Cultural Garden, and other significant sites to gain hands-on experience and deepen their understanding.

The social practice team arrived at Guifeng Ancient Village in Youxi County on January 20. In the ancient village, the well-preserved ancient structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties are dispersed in an orderly fashion, each one containing a profound historical and cultural heritage. All participants walked along the ancient stone road and had the opportunity to explore traditional landmarks, including the Cai Clan Ancestral Hall and the Stone Seal House. They also gained insights into ancient family culture and architectural techniques. Furthermore, by interacting with the locals, they experienced the unique folk customs of Youxi and enjoyed its distinctive cuisine.

While exploring the ancient dwellings of Guifeng, Makhmudova Mushtariybegim, an international student from Uzbekistan, expressed a deep fascination with the daily life of the past. She shared that experiencing these historical residences firsthand provided her with valuable insights into the living conditions of ancient times. “The traditions here are truly captivating, offering a culture that feels both familiar and new to me,” she remarked.

On January 21, the social practice team visited the Confucian Temple and Zhuzi Cultural Garden in Youxi County. Within the Confucian Temple, all individuals experienced the grave ambiance of Confucian culture and gained a deeper understanding of the ancient education system and its protocols. At the Zhuzi Cultural Garden, they acquired a comprehensive understanding of Zhu Xi’s life, actions, philosophies, and beliefs. Zhu Xi, the preeminent figure of Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty, has had a profound influence on both Chinese and global culture. The international students and teachers attentively listened to the explanations, scrutinized the artifacts, and acquired a comprehensive understanding of Zhu Xi culture.

Cheick Amadou Tidiane Ouattara, a foreign teacher from Mali, described his visit to the Youxi County Confucian Temple and the Zhuzi Cultural Garden with his students as an unforgettable cultural experience. He was deeply impressed by the solemn atmosphere of Confucian culture and gained a greater appreciation for the strictness of ancient Chinese education and etiquette. He also mentioned that the visit provided him with a deeper understanding of Zhu Xi’s life and philosophical beliefs. “Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism had a profound influence on the development of the Chinese nation and extended beyond China. Its contribution to global culture is undeniable, holding a significant place in history,” he remarked.

According to Yu Shuiqing, a teacher at the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages) at Sanming University, this social practice activity not only enables international students to integrate more effectively into Chinese culture but also offers them a platform to exchange ideas, learn, and showcase themselves. “Sanming University will continue to hold more such activities to promote the exchange and integration of Chinese and foreign cultures, collaborate and cooperatively advance the preservation and advancement of China’s exceptional traditional culture in the future,” she added.

Over 20 teachers and students from Bangladesh, Mali, Nigeria, Indonesia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Russia attended this distinctive winter vacation social practice activity.