Organization fosters ties between Chinese, US youth

Inspired by Xi, group in Washington state serves as bridge for cultural exchanges

Amid the spirit of enduring camaraderie, echoes of friendship between nations resound through songs performed by the choir at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington state.

Reflecting on its poignant history, David Chong, president of the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association in Washington state, discussed the Sino-US student choral event ahead of the just-concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.

The event saw the participation of 20 talented students from the Lincoln High School choir, who prepared two heartfelt numbers: Stand by Me and the popular Chinese ballad, In the Fields of Hope. In 2015, during President Xi Jinping's visit to Tacoma the choir's moving performance of In the Fields of Hope and the classic What a Wonderful World left an impression on the audience.

Encouraging the youth of both nations to foster mutual understanding and strengthen bonds, Xi emphasized the vital role of cultural exchanges in bolstering relations between China and the United States. Since that day, the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association has remained steadfast in its mission to cultivate a robust bridge of cultural diplomacy between Washington state and China.

The choir stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of friendship and cultural exchange between the two nations.

"Our story dates (back) to the historic moment when President Xi Jinping visited Lincoln High School. It was here that the seeds of friendship were sown, gifts were exchanged and the vision for robust cultural exchanges between the two nations was born," Chong said.

An alumnus of the school, Chong founded the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association after the visit, aiming to bridge the gap between the cultures and values of the two nations. Since its inception, the association has facilitated a series of impactful initiatives, enabling meaningful interactions between young minds from both countries.

With Xi's personal invitation to the students to visit China, Chong helped to organize a trip in 2016 for 100 students from his alma mater.

Araya Zackery was a sophomore when she traveled to China. She told China Daily then that the warm welcome and sincerity really made the US students feel at home, and she felt lucky to be exposed to a completely different culture.

"After their return to the United States, these students' experiences had a ripple effect, reaching well beyond 100 families. They not only shared their stories with their parents, but also enlightened their teachers and friends about the genuine facets of China," Chong said.

The association's commitment to fostering mutual understanding was further exemplified by the visit of a delegation of students from Sichuan province to Washington state in 2018.

At the invitation of the state government, a delegation of 25 young students from 10 schools in Sichuan visited and spent a week in the state that October.

The delegation toured Seattle and Tacoma, stayed with local families, tasted local cuisine, and attended classes at local schools. Lincoln students accompanied their Chinese friends and shared with them their favorite games and songs.

Haley Naparan was a junior at Lincoln when she volunteered to accompany the Chinese students. She was among the 100 students from Lincoln who traveled to China in 2016. She told China Daily in 2018 that the roles had switched.

"It is our turn to show them our language, culture and our perspectives. It feels like I was back in China," she said at the time.

The Mianyang Foreign Language Experimental School in Sichuan and Lincoln High School successfully signed a "Framework Agreement for International Friendly Schools" during that visit.

That same year, the association also sponsored a trip to China for Lincoln students and teachers, during which an event featuring a joint Chinese and American student flash dance was held at Nanqiao bridge, a scenic site in Dujiangyan, Sichuan.

Under the dedicated guidance of the association's advisory team, including influential figures such as Washington state's secretary of state and the mayor of Tacoma, the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association has expanded its reach and influence. Despite facing various difficulties, youth exchanges between the two countries have continued in recent years.

In July 2019, Lincoln students participated in the International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp in Shanghai, which presented an opportunity for foreign students to learn about traditional Chinese culture through lessons and outdoor activities with local volunteers.

In 2021, the school's principal, Patrick Erwin, sent a letter to Xi about the exchanges between his school and China over the years and how the educational partnership was important to his students.

Xi responded to Erwin's letter, saying he was a strong believer in educational exchanges and encouraging students at the school to build a bridge for people-to-people exchanges between China and the US.

This July, three teachers and students from Washington state participated in the 17th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp.

US teachers and students told staff members of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries that the enthusiasm and friendliness shown by the people of Shanghai left an impression on them.

On July 25, the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association sent a letter to Xi to congratulate China for hosting the 31st International University Sports Federation Summer World University Games in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, as well as the Hangzhou Asian Games in Zhejiang province, while also reaffirming its commitment to continuously enhancing China-US youth cooperation and humanistic exchanges.

Discussing the reason for writing the letter, Chong referred to Xi's remarks during his June 16 meeting with Bill Gates, the former CEO of Microsoft, in which the president stressed that the foundation of China-US relations lies within the people.

Ron Chow, co-chairperson of the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, said, "We must encourage increased interaction and communication among our youth, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse cultures and values.

"This is particularly crucial in light of the misleading narratives perpetuated by specific Western media and politicians, which have resulted in unwarranted mistrust and suspicion."

Xi responded to the association's letter in August, emphasizing again the importance of people-to-people interactions in Sino-US relations, stating that the foundation lies within the grassroots, with hopes vested in the people, and the future entrusted to the youth.

"I hope more young people from China and the US will get to know each other better, work hand-in-hand, and become a new generation of ambassadors of friendship to inject fresh impetus into the growth of China-US relations," Xi wrote in the letter.

Chong said: "It provided us with great encouragement as the association's efforts to promote youth and student exchanges between China and the US have been recognized by President Xi. In the future, we hope to receive more support from the Chinese government in promoting exchanges in technology, academic areas, culture, sports and more for youth and students in both countries."

The association is now planning to establish an office in China to better promote bilateral exchanges. Chong is also exploring the creation of an exchange program between schools in Shanghai and the US.