WASHINGTON, Sept 25: Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced that China will invite 1 lakh young Americans to visit the country for educational and cultural exchanges over the next five years.
Xi made the announcement at the White House on Thursday, building on a similar initiative launched in 2023 that aimed to bring 50,000 young Americans to China within five years. According to Xi, that target was reached earlier this year, ahead of schedule.
“The hope of China-US relationship lies in our people, and its future lies with the young,” Xi said while announcing the new five-year initiative.
He also referred to the shared history of the two countries during World War II, when Chinese and American forces fought together against Japanese and other Axis aggression.
Xi said the people of China had not forgotten that period, adding that Americans also continued to remember the cooperation between the two countries during the war.
He called for continued efforts to strengthen friendship between the peoples of China and the United States. Xi said the goals of China’s national rejuvenation and the US ambition to “make America great again” could move forward alongside each other.
US President Donald Trump also highlighted the historical links between the two nations during his remarks.
Trump recalled America’s support for China during World War II and praised the American pilots who volunteered to fight in China. He specifically mentioned the Flying Tigers, a group of American volunteer pilots who participated in the conflict against Japan.
Trump also cited the wartime interaction between American Marines and Chinese people as the origin of the Chinese expression “Gung Ho”, which he said is still used by the US Marines to express enthusiasm and a spirit of working together.
The US president further pointed to security, technology and superintelligence as areas where decisions by Washington and Beijing could have long-term implications for global peace and prosperity.
Trump said focusing on shared interests could create opportunities for the two countries to achieve further cooperation despite their differences.