Young delegates connect through culture

As night fell over the Liangma River in Beijing, young delegates from China and the United States gathered beneath the Friendship Bridge for a scenic cruise, immersing themselves in the city's vibrant nighttime atmosphere.

Under the bridge, a screen lit up with vivid, colorful imagery to reveal a stunning 3D art space.

"The whole journey was absolutely amazing," says Dahlia Townley-Bakewell, an undergraduate student at Indiana University Bloomington. "I've never seen such a cool light show in the US — it was stunning."

The immersive night cruise was part of Across the Pacific: China-US Youth Dialogue for a Shared Future, an exchange program cohosted by the China International Communications Group Center for the Americas, International Student Conferences, and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, with support from Xi'an Jiaotong University.

Held from July 7 to 17, the program brought together youth delegates — including 15 American students, one Canadian, two US program leaders, and 11 Chinese participants. Traveling through Beijing, Xi'an in Shaanxi province, Suzhou in Jiangsu province, and Shanghai, the group engaged in cultural visits and cross-cultural dialogues.

"During my stay in Beijing, I loved touring the historical sites, such as the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City," says Michael Alexander Buzzy, a PhD student at Wayne State University Law School in Michigan. "Visiting these historic sites gave me a deep appreciation for the history and sheer scale of Beijing."

In Xi'an, a city known for its deep historical roots, delegates explored Huaqing Palace and Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. Hands-on activities, such as wearing traditional hanfu, allowed them to connect more closely with Chinese culture.

"I've been studying the Chinese language for a little while, so that definitely helped me to become familiar with China," says Erik Michael Larson, also from Indiana University Bloomington. "I didn't really realize how far back Xi'an's history goes — 3,000 years. It's outstanding."

From Xi'an's ancient grandeur, the journey shifted to Suzhou, a city famed for its elegance and refinement.

At the Suzhou Museum, participants admired the fusion of classical Chinese aesthetics with modern architecture, gaining insight into the city's artistic and cultural richness.

Beyond cultural exploration, the journey also offered insights into China's strides in science and technology. The American students showed great interest in the country's rapid innovation.

At Tencent's Beijing headquarters, the participants experienced innovative applications, including a digital currency platform and immersive 3D technologies, and engaged in discussions with employees about smart tools in the AI era.

This was followed by an exciting test ride at a Xiaomi factory that particularly thrilled the American students.

"The automation at the Xiaomi factory and the digital innovations at Tencent completely overturned my prior perception of China's tech industry," Larson says with excitement. "These experiences were more vivid and impactful than any classroom case study."

A central component of the exchange was the China-US Future Diplomats Summer Camp, designed to deepen participants' understanding of diplomatic systems in both countries. Through simulated discussions, delegates tackled topics like bilateral trade, environmental protection, and artificial intelligence.

"This is a student-led project," says Shu Xin, secretary-general of the camp and a Chinese student delegate. "Through communication and discussion, Chinese and American youth have developed a deeper understanding of each other and overcome many previous stereotypes."

Since 2009, China has been the top source of international students in the US for 15 consecutive years. According to the Open Doors 2023 report, during the 2022-23 academic year, 289,000 Chinese students accounted for 27.4 percent of all international students in American colleges and universities. At the same time, a growing number of American students are choosing to study, intern, or participate in cultural exchange programs in China.

Despite fluctuations in China-US relations, young people have consistently brought warmth and optimism to bilateral ties. In a world of rising uncertainty, such dialogue is more vital than ever, notes Yu Yunquan, vice-president of CICG.

Xinhua