Youth exchanges bridge US-China understanding in Hainan

A delegation of 66 students, teachers, and parents from Utah and California, the United States, arrived in China's Hainan province for a 10-day cultural exchange on Saturday. The trip is part of China's initiative to invite 50,000 US students for exchanges and study programs over five years, which began in November 2023.

The group was welcomed with a banquet featuring local specialties, including Wenchang chicken and qingbuliang (a chilled sweet dessert), before spending six days exploring Hainan's cultural and natural landmarks.

Activities included visits to Qilou Old Street and the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden in Haikou, tea-picking in Qiongzhong, traditional Li ethnic performances in Baoting, and surfing in Wanning. They also tried on traditional clothes and joined classroom sessions at Haikou ShanGao High School, the program's host.

At the opening ceremony on Monday, Hainan foreign affairs official Er Jianqiao emphasized the importance of youth exchanges in bridging Sino-US relations.

"Language and cultural differences shouldn't prevent young people from China and the United States from deepening their understanding and enhancing their friendship," she said.

Luo Hui, the principal of the high school, called the program "a great chance for students from both countries to learn from each other". She commented that students naturally build friendships between countries when they interact with each other.

Students on both sides spoke positively. Seth Wagner, 15, from Hillcrest High School, said the trip offered "so many fun activities" and praised the hospitality. "People treat us so well, and the food is my favorite here," he said, adding that exchanges help American youth "experience Chinese culture and understand a different country better".

Zheng Qi'en, a seventh grader at ShanGao High School, said she was struck by the Americans' fascination with calligraphy. "They lined up to practice calligraphy, which made me realize how precious our traditions are to others," she said.

Snack swaps became joyful cultural lessons. "Laughing together over food, we saw our differences but loved sharing them," Zheng added.

"More exchanges like this would be great," Zheng said. "When Chinese and American teenagers do crafts together, visit parks, and perform for each other, we get to see each other's real lives, not just hear stories."

From Thursday to Sunday, the group is visiting Chongqing and Chengdu in Sichuan province.