A group of nearly 100 students from 10 U.S. universities recently received a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping. The students had written to Xi after participating in the Future Makers 2026 China-U.S. Youth Tour for a Shared Asia-Pacific Future and other exchange events in China. The letter arrived on the eve of Xi's state visit to the United States. In his letter, Xi welcomed the students' appreciation for Chinese civilization and their hope for friendly cooperation between China and the United States.
The students, including Kiana Haywood, a senior at Central Michigan University, were surprised to receive a response from Xi. Haywood said that when they sent the letter, it felt like a "shot in the dark." She didn't expect Xi to read it, let alone respond. Xi's letter encouraged the students to advance China-U.S. friendly cooperation and foster mutual understanding between the two peoples. He also urged them to contribute to building a better world as young people sharing the same planet.
Xi has a history of maintaining correspondence with American friends, including those he met in Iowa in 1985 and veterans of the historic Flying Tigers. In February 2024, he replied to students from Muscatine High School who had visited China and sent them Chinese New Year cards. This growing connection between the two nations is rooted in Xi's championing of youth exchanges as a vital bridge.
During his 2023 trip to San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting, Xi announced an initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over five years. By May this year, that goal had been reached two and a half years ahead of schedule. This initiative aims to promote mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.
For Haywood, the exchange program provided an opportunity to experience Chinese culture firsthand. She was impressed by China's long history, rich culture, and advanced technology, but noted that the people left the biggest impression. She appreciated the chance to ask questions, laugh together, and realize how much she had in common with her Chinese counterparts.
Marlon Forrester, an associate in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, also participated in the 2026 China-U.S. Youth Tour. He emphasized that true affinity requires proximity and that sharing space together is essential for mutual understanding. Forrester believes that the participating students will become "ambassadors for this work" through direct partnerships with institutional and privately funded sources.
Both Haywood and Forrester highlighted the importance of youth exchanges in promoting understanding and cooperation between nations. They emphasized that young people have a responsibility to respect cultural differences, promote understanding, and work together to address global challenges. By learning from one another and contributing positively to their communities, they can help build a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world.
Key points
- Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to nearly 100 U.S. students from 10 universities ahead of his state visit to the United States.
- Xi's letter encouraged the students to advance China-U.S. friendly cooperation and foster mutual understanding between the two peoples.
- The exchange program is part of Xi's initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over five years.
