Chinese President Xi Jinping has replied to a letter from Chinese and U.S. students participating in “A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program,” encouraging them to make new contributions to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.
“I am delighted to know that the students from both countries had embarked on an unforgettable friendship voyage aboard the China-U.S. Youth Friendship vessel,” Xi said, adding that the story of China-U.S. friendship is written by the people, and the future of China-U.S. relations is shaped by the youth.
Since the launch of the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year span in November 2023, over 50,000 young Americans have visited China, achieving the target two-and-a-half years ahead of schedule, Xi said, adding that through these interactions, young people from both countries have reached out to each other, deepened mutual understanding, forged profound friendships, and opened a new chapter in friendly exchanges between the two peoples.
Noting that young people, full of vitality and dreams, represent the future and hope of China-U.S. relations and of the world, Xi called on more Chinese and U.S. youth to take up the baton of friendship, learn from each other, progress together, and become “envoys of friendship” bridging the Pacific.
Recently, Chinese and U.S. students who took part in “A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program” wrote to President Xi, thanking him for the “50,000 in Five Years” initiative, which has provided valuable opportunities for young people of both countries to engage in learning and exchange.
Chinese and U.S. students exchange gifts on the deck of a research ship and perform classic songs from both countries.
Chinese and U.S. students engage in traditional Chinese cultural activities.
Among them are three students from Tsinghua University: Niu Lishan, a PhD student at the School of Environment (enrolled in 2022); Zhou Xinyi, a Master’s student at the School of Journalism and Communication (enrolled in 2023); and Guo Shuohai, a PhD student at the School of Vehicle and Mobility (enrolled in 2025).
A symposium was held at Tsinghua to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of President Xi’s reply to the letter from Chinese and U.S. students participating in the “A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program.”
On the morning of June 2, a symposium was held at Tsinghua to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of President Xi’s reply to the letter from Chinese and U.S. students participating in the “A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program.” Bai Benfeng, deputy secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee and vice president of the University, attended the event.
Niu Lishan recalled the moment when youth from both countries jointly sent a letter to President Xi. Zhou Xinyi reflected on the mutual learning and exchanges between Chinese and U.S. youth. Guo Shuohai highlighted how cultural exchanges, technology activities, and other activities helped deepen understanding between young people from the two nations.
“In the future, I will keep in mind the instructions of President Xi, learn from and grow together with young people around the world, and dedicate my youthful energy to promoting friendship between China and other countries and building a better world,” Guo Shuohai said.
Source: Xinhua, editors: Li Han, John Paul Grima