China News Service, Beijing, September 26 (Reporter Zeng Yue and Zhou Xin) On the 24th local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced during his state visit to the United States that in the next five years, China will invite 100,000 American teenagers to come to China for exchange and study. American youths interviewed online by reporters from China News Service said that this move will build a bridge connecting the United States and China, and they look forward to the implementation of the new initiative laying the foundation for a long-lasting friendship between the youths of the two countries.
"I'm very excited about this. This will build a bridge between the United States and China." said Zoe Viane, a student at the University of California, Riverside.
Malone Forest, a young teacher at Harvard University, hopes that the "100,000 in Five Years" initiative will further enrich cultural exchange forms, leave unforgettable experiences for American youth, and help build trust, learn cooperation, and gain friendship.
"Whether it is through basketball, baseball, martial arts, dance or other shared experiences, young people can not only understand another culture, but also understand themselves." Malone said that these moments of getting along often remain in the memory long after the trip is over, laying the foundation for long-term friendship and mutual understanding.
On the eve of his visit to the United States, Xi Jinping responded to a letter from young students from 10 American universities who came to China to participate in China-US youth exchange activities, sending a message to the youth of the two countries to "share the mission of the times."
Malone was one of those who sent a letter to Xi Jinping. Recently, he visited Qufu, Shandong Province, the hometown of the Chinese sage Confucius, and was deeply moved.
“Confucius’ philosophical thoughts provide valuable inspiration on how to establish and maintain meaningful connections between young people and different cultures.” Malone believes that Confucian culture emphasizes respect, reciprocity, self-cultivation, lifelong learning, and the importance of building harmonious relationships. These principles are still relevant today and are especially helpful in promoting dialogue and understanding between people with different cultural backgrounds.
Malone said that in an increasingly connected world, American and Chinese young people can learn from Confucianism to listen humbly, learn from each other, and seek common ground while reserving differences. "These values help strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, enhance cultural understanding, and promote a more constructive relationship between the two countries."
Looking back on the just-concluded trip to China, from infrastructure, public services to technology companies, Leif Loken, a student at the University of Washington, said he was deeply shocked. "I knew before that China was a modern and innovative country, but what I saw with my own eyes was far beyond my wildest imagination."
Jovan Al-Hjami, who also studied at the University of Washington, also gained friendship with Chinese youths. "These friendships mean the most to me. Even if the language is different, we are patient and happy to understand each other."
In Malone's view, meaningful exchanges can cultivate understanding, trust and respect, create opportunities for young people from the United States and China to learn from each other, and build lasting friendships across cultures.
