President Xi Jinping has expressed hope that the younger generation will advance Sino-US cooperation, foster mutual understanding and ensure steady, long-term development of bilateral ties, according to Chinese state media.
Xinhua reported on Monday that Xi’s remarks came in his reply to a letter from students at 10 US universities who shared their thoughts and experiences after attending a youth exchange programme in China earlier this month.
“Young people from China and the United States share the same planet Earth and jointly shoulder the mission of the times,” the report cited Xi as saying.
“He expressed hope that the students would join the vast number of young people in both countries in striving to carry forward, uphold, and advance China-US friendly cooperation, and work together to foster mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples and to ensure the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations, so as to contribute to the vitality of youth to building a better world.”
Xi’s comments came ahead of his state visit to Washington to meet US counterpart Donald Trump between Wednesday and Friday.
According to Xinhua, Xi cited the students’ letter in which they shared their appreciation for Chinese civilisation, their hope for friendly cooperation between China and the US, and their willingness to act as envoys of friendship across the Pacific region.
He also expressed delight that the students had enjoyed their journey in China.
The students told Xi that they hoped to serve as “ambassadors of friendship across the Pacific”, as they wrapped up a Sino-US youth tour in early September, according to one of the organisers, the Hong Kong-based Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation.
Jointly organised by the foundation and the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges, the programme – Future Makers 2026 China-US Youth Tour for a Shared Asia-Pacific Future – was held between September 1 and 7.
The programme hosted 170 young attendees from China and the US, of whom about 100 were from US institutions such as Harvard University, Columbia University, the University of Chicago and the University of Washington.
Participants visited Jinan and Qufu in Shandong province as well as Beijing, touring landmarks such as the Temple of Confucius, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall.
The foundation said the programme showcased traditional Chinese culture and values, and introduced China’s advanced technology through visits to an autonomous driving demonstration area in Beijing and the Xiaomi Auto Factory.
It added that the Chinese and American youth also planted white-bark pines at Yanqi Lake in Beijing to symbolise enduring friendship between the younger generations of the two countries.
Foundation director Daryl Ng Win-kong, also the chairman of Sino Group, said Xi’s reply was a “tremendous source of encouragement”.
“His letter reflects the importance he places on youth development, as well as his long-standing support for youth exchanges and people-to-people ties between China and the United States,” he said.
“President Xi has consistently shown great care for young people and a strong belief in the role they play in shaping the future. His message is both encouraging and inspiring, conveying his hope for deeper mutual understanding, lasting friendship and continued positive engagement between our two peoples.”
He added that the foundation would continue to support international youth exchanges and dialogue, as well as foster greater understanding and connections across borders.
Ng also said the foundation would leverage Hong Kong’s unique role as a “superconnector” to strengthen exchanges between China and the rest of the world.
In May, Xi also replied to a letter from students attending a separate China-US youth friendship programme, including Liu Runjie from a local institution, the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
In that reply, Xi expressed similar sentiments about his appreciation for the deep friendships forged between young people from the two countries through the programme. He also encouraged them to continue contributing to cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and the United States.
The letter was disclosed after Trump concluded a landmark visit to China earlier that month.
Xinhua also reported that Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met members of a youth delegation from Hong Kong and Macau at the Great Hall of the People on Monday morning, conveying Xi’s greetings to them.
The delegation comprises nearly 1,200 students from primary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education in Hong Kong and Macau, who were on a trip in Beijing to pay tribute to the national flag.
Ding said Xi has always cared for and supported the development of youth in Hong Kong and Macau, emphasising that when young people thrive, so do the two cities and the country.
Noting that Hong Kong and Macau have ushered in the best development period in history, Ding called on the students to carry forward the cause of “one country, two systems”.
Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, also attended the meeting, according to Xinhua. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
