Organization fosters ties between Chinese, US youth

Haley Naparan was a junior at Lincoln when she volunteered to accompany the Chinese students. She was among the 100 students from Lincoln who traveled to China in 2016. She told China Daily in 2018 that the roles had switched.

"It is our turn to show them our language, culture and our perspectives. It feels like I was back in China," she said at the time.

The Mianyang Foreign Language Experimental School in Sichuan and Lincoln High School successfully signed a "Framework Agreement for International Friendly Schools" during that visit.

That same year, the association also sponsored a trip to China for Lincoln students and teachers, during which an event featuring a joint Chinese and American student flash dance was held at Nanqiao bridge, a scenic site in Dujiangyan, Sichuan.

Under the dedicated guidance of the association's advisory team, including influential figures such as Washington state's secretary of state and the mayor of Tacoma, the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association has expanded its reach and influence. Despite facing various difficulties, youth exchanges between the two countries have continued in recent years.

In July 2019, Lincoln students participated in the International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp in Shanghai, which presented an opportunity for foreign students to learn about traditional Chinese culture through lessons and outdoor activities with local volunteers.

In 2021, the school's principal, Patrick Erwin, sent a letter to Xi about the exchanges between his school and China over the years and how the educational partnership was important to his students.

Xi responded to Erwin's letter, saying he was a strong believer in educational exchanges and encouraging students at the school to build a bridge for people-to-people exchanges between China and the US.

This July, three teachers and students from Washington state participated in the 17th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp.

US teachers and students told staff members of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries that the enthusiasm and friendliness shown by the people of Shanghai left an impression on them.