Beijing, January 11 – In a gesture underscoring the importance of people-to-people ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping has penned a heartfelt reply to a delegation of teachers and students from the University of Florida and two other US colleges. The group, part of a youth educational exchange program, recently wrapped up a fulfilling visit to China.
President Xi expressed delight at hearing about the delegation’s enriching experiences in the country. He commended their deep interest and genuine enthusiasm for Chinese culture, which he said left a profound impression.
Highlighting the pivotal role of public expectations and youth in shaping China-US relations, Xi noted the success of the initiative to invite 50,000 American youths to visit China over five years. To date, over 40,000 have participated, gaining authentic insights into the nation and building bridges of friendship between the peoples of both countries.
‘Such friendly exchanges and cooperation reflect the aspirations of our two peoples,’ Xi stated. He encouraged more American youths to join these efforts, becoming ambassadors for a new generation of China-US friendship and contributing significantly to dialogue and bilateral ties.
This correspondence follows a recent letter from the delegation to Xi, where they shared observations from their October visit to China. They expressed gratitude for the ‘50,000 youths in five years’ initiative, which they said provided invaluable opportunities to enhance mutual understanding between the youth of both nations.
As tensions persist in global geopolitics, this exchange serves as a reminder of the enduring value of cultural diplomacy in fostering long-term stability between superpowers.