Xiplomacy: Xi Jinping and his American friends

FUTURE LIES IN YOUTH

Over the years, Xi has placed significant emphasis on fostering genuine interactions with American youth, sowing the seeds of friendship in their hearts, nurturing future ambassadors of goodwill and building bridges for future China-US friendship.

A Ping-Pong table, a gift from Xi to the students at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington, during his visit to the United States in 2015, was on prominent display at the school.

The table symbolizes Xi's heartfelt expectations that the younger generations of both sides would inherit the spirit of Ping-Pong Diplomacy and contribute to the development of China-US ties.

While receiving a football and a personalized jersey bearing his name and "No.1" on the back from the students, Xi kindly invited them to come and visit China, saying "through travel, you will know China better, and hopefully you will like China."

One year later, at Xi's invitation, a delegation of students from Lincoln High School visited China. In Fuzhou, they learned about the Kuliang story, which embodies the profound and longstanding friendship between the two peoples.

Indeed, China-US friendship is rooted in the people and its future lies in the youth.

In a reply letter to the students of Niles North High School in the US state of Illinois in 2019, Xi expressed his hope that the students would cherish their youth, study diligently, and contribute to promoting friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.