Sino-U.S. youth exchanges encouraged

Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, attends a Sino-American friendship event in Beijing on Tuesday. Peng had a cordial interaction with the youth delegation from the state of Washington, the United States, during the event, which aims to enhance cultural and sports exchanges between young people from China and the U.S. (WANG JING/CHINA DAILY)

Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping, expressed the hope that young people from the U.S. state of Washington could convey the friendly sentiments of the Chinese people and contribute to friendship between the two peoples.

She made the remarks when attending a China-U.S. youth cultural and sports exchange event held at Beijing No 8 High School on Tuesday.

Over 100 teachers and students from more than 10 high schools in Washington state had been invited as part of the initiative announced by President Xi in San Francisco last year to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in the next five years.

Peng warmly welcomed the teachers and students to visit and experience the real China firsthand, and expressed the hope for more mutual understanding and interaction between young people from the two countries to inject positive energy into the bilateral relations.

Peng, together with the guests, watched a friendly basketball match between Chinese and U.S. youths, and she presented commemorative medals to players from both teams. She also had photos taken with students from both countries.

Noting that the visit has helped forge a deep friendship between young people of the two countries, she expressed the belief that the visit would leave a beautiful memory in their hearts.

As the future of China-U.S. relations lies in the youth, Peng said she hoped that members of the delegation would share their experiences in China with their families, friends and classmates upon returning home, and keep the tree of friendship between the two peoples blossoming.

In 2015, Xi and Peng visited Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington. Inside the school auditorium, they enjoyed a choir performance by Chinese and American students.

Logic Seven Allah-Amen, assistant principal at Lincoln High School, fondly recalled on Tuesday hosting the visit in 2015, and sincerely thanked President Xi for his care and support for youth exchanges. He also expressed willingness to actively contribute to promoting mutual understanding between China and the U.S.

The American student representatives at the event shared their unforgettable experiences and feelings during the China visit, which has also taken them to Guizhou, Shandong and Sichuan provinces.