Just eight months after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to bring 50,000 U.S. students to China to improve relations, Beijing has launched its biggest effort yet. While some progress was made during the official program, many Americans found the most meaningful moments happened unexpectedly.
Around 220 young Americans were invited to a weeklong event in Fujian province by groups affiliated with the Chinese government. Despite gratitude for the opportunity to visit the world’s second-largest economy, some attendees felt that the festival was too structured and lacked genuine conversation.
Amidst tensions between the U.S. and China over various issues, such as Beijing’s support for Russia in Ukraine and trade tariffs, activities like tree planting and puppet shows were seen as distractions by a few American participants. The event failed to address the major concerns and controversies brewing between the two global powers.
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