The pledge was made during the closing ceremony of the Seminar on Ethnic Policy and Practice for Belt and Road Countries, organised by the Academy for International Business Officials under Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China in Beijing. Seven countries participated in the two-week programme: Nigeria, The Gambia, South Sudan, Laos, Ecuador, Indonesia and Malaysia. Speaking at the event, Yang Shengyan said the seminar strengthened mutual understanding, policy dialogue and practical cooperation among participating nations. He noted that delegates gained first-hand knowledge of China's governance model, ethnic policy framework, technological progress, education reforms and broader social development strategies. He also said visits to landmarks including the Great Wall of China, museums in Beijing and Wuhan, universities and commercial centres helped participants gain a deeper appreciation of China's development and cultural heritage. Yang reaffirmed China's readiness to work closely with Belt and Road partner countries to build what he described as "a more peaceful and prosperous future together." Responding on behalf of the participants, John Makoi Marial praised the Chinese government for organising what he described as a highly impactful training programme. According to Marial, participants gained valuable insights into ethnic policy, governance, modernisation, national integration and inclusive development, drawing lessons from the leadership philosophy of Xi Jinping. He said one of the seminar's most significant lessons was that sustainable national development depends on promoting unity while respecting ethnic and cultural diversity. He added that participants intend to apply relevant lessons in their home countries, particularly in governance, public administration, cultural preservation and inclusive development. Marial also said the programme strengthened professional networks among delegates from the seven participating countries, creating opportunities for future cooperation in cultural heritage, education, tourism, vocational training and institutional development. He pledged that participants would share the knowledge gained with their colleagues and institutions while exploring ways to adapt China's experiences to their respective national contexts.