Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng (center) and a delegation of US students attend the "Commemoration of the 45th Anniversary of the China-US Diplomatic Relations" at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Jan 5, 2024. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The China-United States Exchange Foundation recently orchestrated a student delegation from the US to China. Twenty-nine graduate students from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs visited Beijing, Sichuan and Guangdong in January. 

During their 10-day visit, they interacted with diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, students at Peking and Tsinghua universities, and representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and the China Foundation for Rural Development in Beijing.

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CUSEF, founded in Hong Kong in 2008, aims to build platforms to encourage constructive dialogue and diverse exchanges between the people of the US and China

In Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, and the boomtown of Shenzhen in Guangdong province, they visited local museums, landmark infrastructure facilities, key laboratories, and communicated with local university students.

CUSEF President James Chau pledged the foundation will arrange more student exchange programs so that more young people will be represented in decisions that are shaping international relations.

“Young people are the future of China and the United States, and the quality of their partnership will characterize the outcomes of the most consequential relationship in the modern era,” he said.

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This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations. To increase exchanges between the youth of the two countries, President Xi Jinping announced in November that China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. The CUSEF event is the first youth delegation to come to the country following the announcement.

CUSEF, founded in Hong Kong in 2008, aims to build platforms to encourage constructive dialogue and diverse exchanges between the people of the US and China.