On January 31, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng attended the 2026 China-U.S. Youth Spring Festival Gala, joining over 500 young Americans from more than 20 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, along with Chinese students, in celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year.

Ambassador Xie said in his remarks that, just a few days into the year 2026, we witnessed a happy and big event in China-U.S. youth exchanges: President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from a U.S. youth education exchange delegation from Florida. In the letter, President Xi expressed his expectation to see more American youth joining the cause of China-U.S. friendship, becoming a new generation of envoys for friendship between our two countries, and making greater contributions to enhancing people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States and promoting the development of bilateral relations. Over the past year, President Xi has replied to letters from and sent messages to the youth multiple times, extending warm invitations and sharing sincere hopes. Under our leaders’ guidance, China-U.S. youth exchanges have gone from strength to strength, steadily injecting fresh vigor into bilateral relations.

Ambassador Xie noted that over the past year, our youths have learned from each other, and moved forward hand in hand. The vast Pacific could not keep our youths apart. Tens of thousands of Chinese students came to the U.S. for further studies, while more than 20,000 young Americans visited China. Our young people performed together on stage, competed in the arena, and collaborated in scientific innovation, achieving fruitful results every step on the way. From student choirs in Los Angeles, the pickleball delegation from Maryland and the hockey team from Wyoming, to China’s traditional culture, science classes and unique cuisines, new windows are opening for our youths to connect, share, and celebrate each other’s cultures. Many teenagers have become pen pals, and a number of primary and middle schools have established sister-school partnerships, further strengthening the bonds between our two peoples.

Ambassador Xie said that over the past year, our youths have reached out to each other, and striven to be envoys of goodwill. American teenagers delved into Chinese campuses, communities and enterprises, to enjoy stunning landscapes, explore cutting-edge technologies, and soak in the charm of ancient culture. They were impressed by China’s warm hospitality, safety, technological advances and convenient transport. Many saw their trip to China as “life-changing”, and are planning to go back for further studies and career opportunities. Meanwhile, Chinese students here in the U.S. have also broadened their horizons in a different culture. With their first-hand experience, the younger generation has broken the information cocoon and cleared up misunderstandings. All these seeds of correct perception planted today will surely grow into towering trees tomorrow, fostering affinity between our peoples and nations.

Ambassador Xie said that over the past year, our youths have innovated together, and driven the change of our times. Young scientists from both countries have joined hands to achieve breakthroughs in areas including early cancer detection and degradable materials. Students from Harvard University visited Beijing and Shanxi for educational exchanges, business visits and cultural tours, during which they attended classes on AI education, interacted with intelligent robots, and shared their understanding of STEM education. Youth representatives from China and the U.S. also gathered at the World Youth Conference for Peace in Beijing, calling for cherishing peace, upholding solidarity and jointly combating global challenges, and reaffirming their commitment to forging a community with a shared future for humanity and building a better world.