To implement the initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over the next five years, strengthen China-U.S. people-to-people friendship, and deepen sub-national and youth exchanges and cooperation, a delegation from the Max Baucus Institute（U.S.）visited Chengdu University on the morning of May 29, jointly creating new opportunities for China-U.S. youth exchanges.
The delegation first visited the Traditional Crafts Institute at Chengdu University where they learned about lacquer art, tie-dyeing, shadow puppetry, and Shu brocade and embroidery. Afterwards, at the Overseas Education College, they experienced an immersive Chinese culture class on calligraphy. Under the guidance of professional teachers, the young American visitors picked up writing brushes, dipped them in ink, and moved on from practicing brush-gripping and stroke-control techniques to copying basic Chinese characters. As sheets of rice paper rustled and the aroma of ink filled the room, the delegation experienced the rhythm and vitality of Chinese calligraphy stroke by stroke. Through this cultural window, they glimpsed the profound essence of fine traditional Chinese culture.
Following the tour, a youth exchange session themed "AI & Us: Navigating the Future Together" was held. Faced with the impact of AI on global education and ethics, young Chinese and American participants did not limit themselves to technical discussions. Drawing on their respective academic backgrounds, they engaged in in-depth dialogues on harnessing technology for good and promoting the common well-being of humanity. Ranging from career choices in the AI era to new models of cross-cultural communication, the session featured lively exchanges of views and rounds of warm applause.
This visit was not only a concrete step toward implementing the consensus reached by Chinese and U.S. heads of state and fostering people-to-people friendship between the two countries, but also built a new bridge for Chengdu University to expand its cooperation and exchanges with the United States. Recently, President Xi replied to a letter from Chinese and U.S. students participating in the "A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program"; futhermore, the goal of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs has been achieved ahead of schedule. Two-way youth exchanges between the two countries have grown into a vital driving force for the steady development of China-U.S. relations. The visit of the U.S. Max Baucus Institute delegation is a shining wavelet in this historic trend, demonstrating the firm determination of young Chinese and Americans to join hands in facing future challenges and writing a new chapter for bilateral friendship.
Officials from the Division of Americas and Oceania Affairs, Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, as well as representatives from the university's Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Overseas Education College, and School of Fine Arts and Design, attended the above events.
Editor: Min Xiuling Executive Editor: Lyu Jia
