As U.S. and Chinese leaders prepared to meet in Washington D.C. this week, nearly 100 American college students from 10 universities were making their own diplomatic statement. After a week-long exchange program in China, the students wrote to President Xi Jinping describing how the experience had reshaped their understanding of both nations and expressing hope to serve as “ambassadors of friendship across the Pacific.” On September 21, President Xi replied personally, encouraging young people from both countries to carry forward friendship and work toward a better shared future.
The students were participants in the Future Makers 2026 China-U.S. Youth Tour for a Shared Asia-Pacific Future, organized by the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges. From September 1–7, the program brought together 170 young people from China and the United States for seven days of cultural exploration, direct dialogue, and technology visits across Jinan, Qufu, and Beijing. Participating institutions included American University, Central Michigan University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Kentucky State University, Saint Peter’s University, the University of California Davis, the University of California Riverside, the University of Chicago, and the University of Washington.
The timing of the exchange is significant. It comes as U.S.-China relations remain tense over trade, technology, and security issues, and as both governments seek to manage competition while preserving channels for cooperation. By funding the trip entirely for American participants, the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation aimed to give students from diverse backgrounds a firsthand view of China that they might not otherwise afford. The initiative reflects a belief that people-to-people ties can provide a stabilizing foundation when official relations are strained.
For many participants, the experience challenged preconceptions. Jackson Kreisner, a student from American University, said: “I can say, with firsthand experience, that American and Chinese youth are much more similar than we are different – we listen to the same music, eat the same food, feel the same emotions, share the same dreams.” Ainsley Reigler, a student from Central Michigan University, added: “Being able to sit across from students from different universities and backgrounds and discuss our perspectives on the future of U.S.-China relations, global cooperation, and the role our generation can play in building bridges was an experience I could never have replicated in a classroom.”
Before the trip, many participants said they knew China primarily through headlines and social media. What they found, in their own words, was “the real China” — young people who laugh at the same jokes, carry the same pressures, and dream the same dreams. In Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, American and Chinese students explored how the Confucian concept of “harmony in diversity” remains relevant in today’s cross-cultural exchanges. At Tsinghua University in Beijing, participants exchanged views on youth responsibility, technological innovation, and Asia-Pacific cooperation. Visits to Beijing E-Town Robot World, the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Area, and the Xiaomi Auto Factory offered firsthand insights into humanoid robotics, autonomous driving, and advanced manufacturing. A highlight was the establishment of the “Forest for Tomorrow” at Yanqi Lake, where students planted white-bark pine trees as a symbol of enduring friendship.
Mr. Daryl Ng, Director of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Chairman of Sino Group, said: “During the program, I had the opportunity to join the American participants on a visit to the Temple of Heaven and spend time speaking with them directly. I was deeply impressed by their curiosity about Chinese culture and their interest in the country’s development. Inspired by President Xi’s message, we will continue to support international youth exchanges and dialogue, and do our part to foster greater understanding, friendship, and people-to-people connections across borders. We will also leverage Hong Kong’s unique role as a ‘super-connector’ to further strengthen exchanges between China and the rest of the world.”
The program’s broader implication is that both nations appear to be investing in youth as a long-term bridge. President Xi’s personal reply signals high-level attention to such exchanges, while the foundation’s full funding of American students suggests a sustained commitment. As the two governments navigate rivalry, these grassroots connections may help prevent mutual suspicion from hardening into permanent hostility. The students’ letter and Xi’s response also highlight a rare point of consensus: that the next generation has a stake in a stable and cooperative relationship. Distributed by Media OutReach Newswire, the announcement serves as a reminder that even amid geopolitical competition, people-to-people ties remain a vital channel for dialogue.
