In order to actively respond to General Secretary Xi Jinping's vision of "50,000 people in five years" exchanges between Chinese and American youths, from October 17th to 20th, SJZU successfully held a series of activities for Youth in San Francisco, USA Envoy exchange and study delegation (Shijiazhuang Station), focusing on the topic of "Knowing and Doing in Hebei, Mutual learning with Other Civilizations, Intellectual Sports and Making Friends through Games". A group of 24 teachers and students from John Fremont High School, Pinole Valley High School, Franklin High School, De Anza High School, as well as the University of San Francisco, California State University, San Jose State University, East Los Angeles College and other schools in the United States were invited to participate in the activities.

The welcome party was held in the Shangwen Auditorium of the South Campus on the evening of Oct.17, Quan Hui(Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shijiazhuang Municipal Government), Chen Liang (Secretary of the Party Committee of SJZU), Li Juan, (Vice President of SJZU), Zhang Shushe (the inheritor of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changshan War Drums), Song Sujin( former Vice Principal of Shijiazhuang No. 43 Middle School)and others attended the party.

Teachers and students from the School of Music, School of Teachers Education, and School of Literature and History performed excellent programs with Chinese characteristics such as the folk music "Dance of the Golden Snake", the songs "Mother is China", "My Motherland and Me", Chinese zither ensemble"The Elephant King", cheerleading routine“Yes or Yes”,Hebei Bangzi "Grand Ascension to the Palace", dance "Late Autumn Frost". International students from Timor-Leste and Laos from the School of International Exchange and the Zhang Shushe War Drum Troupe performed a national intangible cultural heritage Changshan War Drum. 15 American teenagers in the Delegation sang the song "It is a Small World" together. The party was filled with youthful elegance, showcasing the talents and style of Chinese and American college students, and promoting in-depth cultural exchanges and understanding

On Oct. 20th, a symposium was held to summarize the exchanges between China and the United States. At the meeting, Joseph Kong, the leader of the American delegation, expressed his gratitude to SJZU and said that participating in the Intellectual Sports Competition can help make friends and enhance relationships, which is a novel and lively way. He hopes to continue to use competitions and other colorful exchange projects as an opportunity to further strengthen the communication between two parties. Wang Yanqing, secretary-general of the Shijiazhuang intellectual Sports Association, hopes to rely on scientific intellectual sports to pass on the friendship between Chinese and American teenagers from generation to generation.

American student representatives Chasidy, Quincy, Nivia, Donovan, etc. said that they were deeply touched by this trip to Hebei. They not only deepened their understanding of China, Hebei and Shijiazhuang, but also established a profound friendship with the teachers and students in Shijiazhuang University, and achieved cross-cultural communication and cross-racial integration.

In his concluding speech, Chen Liang, Secretary of the Party Committee of SJZU, said that mountains and seas are not far away between like-minded people, and those who are destined to join hands across thousands of miles, and the vast Pacific Ocean cannot stop the friendly exchanges between the youths of China and the United States. He pointed out that the relationship between countries lies in the closeness between the people, and the closeness between the people lies in the heart-to-heart connection. SJZU will take this event as an opportunity to continue to strengthen the colorful and diverse international exchange activities with countries around the world, including the United States, to incubate valuable international exchanges.

During the exchange, members of the delegation also visited the History Museum of SJZU, watched the "Exhibition of Chinese and Foreign Famous Paintings (Replicas)" held by the School of Art and Design, learned and experienced traditional Chinese painting, and participated in the Pre-competition Training of International Intellectual Sports Open Competition in the School of Foreign Languages. During the training, all the members tasted Chinese food and experienced Chinese food culture in Tianjiao Food Plaza.

Harmony in diversity and beauty in sharing. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of PRC and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. The successful holding of the event is a specific measure taken by SJZU to actively respond to General Secretary Xi Jinping’s call to “expand exchanges between the people of China and the United States, especially the young generation.” The event has made a positive contributions in building a bridge of friendship between Chinese and American youths, promoting the bonds among people, enhancing exchanges and creating a beautiful picture of cultural exchanges between China and the United States.

(Contributed by: International Exchange and Cooperation Center

Written by: Wang Sheng)