A delegation of U.S. youth recently visited Guangzhou for cultural exchange activities, fostering China-U.S. friendship through interaction among young people. U.S. representatives said that the visit aimed to promote mutual understanding and strengthen friendship between young people in the two countries.

In September this year, China launched anew initiative to invite 100,000 American young people to China for study and exchanges over the next five years, further expanding two-way exchanges between young people in the two countries. In October, the delegation visited both Beijing and Guangzhou. As thecity wherethe "Empress of China"—the first American merchant ship to reach China—arrived in 1784, Guangzhou witnessed the beginnings of China-U.S. exchanges and became an important stop on this youth exchange visit.

One of the highlights of the Guangzhouvisit was the 2026 China-U.S. Elite-University Student Pickleball Invitational, hosted by South China Normal University(SCNU). SCNU is among the first institutions in China and the only one in Guangdong Province to be designated as an international people-to-people exchangebase for pickleball. The university has also established a comprehensive training system for pickleball talent.

Through pickleball, the U.S. youth connected with their Chinese peersand built friendships while experiencing traditional Lingnan sports and intangible cultural heritage(ICH). During their visit to Guangzhou, the delegation also visited local low-altitude technology companies to learn about the growth of emerging industries. They also visited Yongqing Fang, the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, and Huacheng Square, experiencing the traditional charm of Lingnan culture and the modern appeal of Guangzhou.

The organizers said that these diverse, hands-on experiences gave the American young people a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic view of China, while fostering mutual understanding between the two sides.An official from the Ministry of Education said the pickleball cultural exchange was a concrete example of the new initiative to promote exchanges between young people in China and the United States. China will continue to expand opportunities for youth exchanges and strengthen the role of young people in building a solid foundation for China-U.S. relations.

美国青年访华团走进广州 以球为媒深化中美青年友谊

近日，美国青年访华团到访广州，开展人文交流活动，以青春互动续写中美友好新篇章。美方代表表示，此行旨在增进了解、深化中美青年友谊。

今年9月，中方提出未来五年邀请十万名美国青少年来华交流学习的新倡议，持续扩大中美青年双向交往。金秋十月，访华团先后走访北京、广州。作为1784年“中国皇后号”首抵中国的城市，广州见证了中美交往的源头，也成为本次青年交流的重要一站。

此次广州之行，中美名校大学生匹克球邀请赛是核心活动之一，赛事由华南师范大学承办。该校是全国首批、省内唯一的匹克球国际人文交流基地，已建成完整的匹克球人才培养体系。

美国青年以球会友、增进友谊，体验岭南传统体育与非遗文化。访穗期间，代表团参访了广州低空科技企业，感受新兴产业发展活力，并走进永庆坊、陈家祠、花城广场，领略岭南古韵与现代都市风采。

主办方表示，多元的实地体验让美国青年直观认识真实、立体的中国，并增进彼此理解。教育部相关负责人介绍，本次匹克球人文交流活动，是落实中美青年交流新倡议的生动实践。未来，中方将持续拓宽中美青年交流渠道，夯实中美关系的青年根基。

文｜记者 孙唯
译｜黄健新
英文审校｜曾敏