Event helps strengthen Sino-US youth bond

More than 100 students and scholars from the United States have gained firsthand insight into Chinese culture and technology in Chongqing to deepen communication between the two peoples.

The 2026 US Youth Sci-tech and Culture Exchange Tour, which concluded on Sunday, brought together 106 students and scholars from over 20 US universities. The four-day exchange coincided with the 85th anniversary of the Flying Tigers, a US volunteer group that aided the Chinese Air Force in fighting against Japanese invasion during World War II.

The event was organized by the Chongqing People's Association for Cultural Exchanges with Foreign Countries, the World Association of Young Scientists and the Chongqing Western Returned Scholars Association.

In recent years, Chongqing, a megacity in Southwest China, has become a hub for international visitors, thanks to its unique landscape, long history and futuristic architecture.

The tour included visits to local universities, research institutions, historical sites and technology facilities, allowing participants to explore Chongqing's modern achievements and engage in cultural activities such as traditional dragon dances and paper-cutting.

"This trip, my first in China, surpasses all my expectations," said 24-year-old Antonella Pardo Figueroa, a graduate from the University of Southern California. "Chongqing reminds me a lot of my hometown, San Francisco, with its beauty. Here, I was shocked by how compact the city is, how well-meshed the infrastructure is, with the natural elements of the mountains and the rivers."

The event featured a dialogue on Saturday at the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery, where professors from US and Chinese universities, technology company leaders and youth representatives from both countries discussed technology, innovation, youth empowerment, cultural exchange and mutual learning.

"I think exchanges like this are so important because they allow you to really see the forest for the trees pretty much," said Marissa Irene Marcarelli, a 22-year-old computer science major from California State University, Long Beach. "Collaboration is essential because it's the people who truly make a difference. By showing the youth and everyone from both sides who we really are, we can hopefully blossom, flourish, and rekindle the friendship we once had. And I wish nothing more."

Ye Rugang, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, noted that Wang Xingxing from China founded the robotics company Unitree Robotics at a remarkably young age.

Regarding the many young scientists and technologists in both the US and China, Ye expressed his belief in their great potential for collaboration. "We might introduce programs during our students' visits to China to foster cooperation in science."

The program also reinforced historical ties by bringing together descendants of the Flying Tigers.

Xu Shaoli, president of the American Flying Tigers Friendship Association, expressed hopes for annual visits of American youths to Chongqing to honor the enduring Flying Tigers spirit of friendship and cooperation.

Kate Adair Bothe, a student from the University of South Carolina and a great-granddaughter of a Flying Tigers recruiter, said: "As the next generation of Flying Tigers, I'm really excited to be a liaison or cheerleader for China-US relations, especially among young people back in America. I think I have to go around and never shut up about China and how great it is, and how many opportunities there are for our friendship to continue to grow."

In 2023, China announced plans to invite 50,000 young people from the US to participate in exchange and study programs over a five-year period to strengthen long-term people-to-people ties.

Zhou Peng contributed to this story.