[Video/chinadaily.com.cn]

People-to-people exchanges are key to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region, said Alena Dolgopolova, State Secretary of the World Peoples Assembly in Russia, on Sept 2. 

"What is most important nowadays is to maintain people-to-people contact," she said, emphasizing the value of meeting people in person and seeing places with one’s own eyes, rather than relying solely on media reports about the country.

Dolgopolova also shared her impressions of Jinan, saying she was deeply impressed by the city's blend of modern urban landscapes and natural scenery.

The Asia-Pacific Civil Society Conference was held in Shandong from Sept 1 to 3. The conference featured more than 10 high-level events, including an opening ceremony, parallel forums and China-US youth exchanges, bringing together a diverse range of voices to promote dialogue, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region.