Xi Replies to US College Students, Urging Youth to Sustain Bilateral Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a reply letter to American university students who recently completed exchange tours across China, state media reported. The letter addressed nearly 100 students representing 10 American institutions, including Harvard University, who took part in youth exchange programs such as the 2026 China-US Youth Asia-Pacific Journey of Togetherness. Xi encouraged the students to act as inheritors, defenders, and promoters of bilateral cooperation. The official coverage emphasized grassroots diplomacy, cultural engagement, and technological showcases, with participants reflecting on their visits across several Chinese cities.

Beijing consistently frames youth and people-to-people exchanges as the social foundation for stabilizing US-China relations during periods of heightened geopolitical competition. Highlighting presidential correspondence with foreign students allows state media to project an image of openness, cultural confidence, and goodwill. Furthermore, student remarks cited in the report referencing an upcoming state visit underscore how grassroots engagement is being synchronized with broader high-level diplomatic messaging.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a reply letter to a group of American university students who visited China on exchange initiatives, state media reported on September 22. The letter addressed nearly 100 students from 10 American universities, including Harvard University, who participated in programs such as the 2026 China-US Youth Asia-Pacific Journey of Togetherness. In his correspondence, Xi expressed satisfaction that the students had completed an enjoyable and memorable journey across China. He encouraged the students to join hands with youth from both nations to become "inheritors, defenders, and promoters" of friendly cooperation between China and the United States, according to the report published by Xinhua and carried by defense outlets. The visiting delegation traveled to several locations, including Jinan and Qufu in Shandong province, as well as Beijing. Their itinerary incorporated traditional cultural sites, such as the Confucian temple complex in Qufu and the Forbidden City, alongside modern technology facilities in Beijing's High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone and the Yizhuang Robot World. Several participants quoted by state media described the exchange as an opportunity to move beyond external perceptions. Kevin Baker, a sophomore at Central Michigan University, observed that receiving the reply was particularly significant ahead of an anticipated state visit by Xi to the United States, adding that direct interactions with students at Tsinghua University revealed shared values despite different backgrounds. Malone Forrester, a young instructor from Harvard University who took part in the trip, remarked that face-to-face dialogue fostered mutual understanding, anticipating that participating students would continue serving as bridge-builders across various sectors. Chinese authorities frequently utilize youth exchanges to reinforce long-term diplomatic ties. Xi has previously maintained correspondence with American youth groups and historical organizations, reiterating Beijing's position that people-to-people relations form the ultimate bedrock of bilateral stability even amidst institutional tensions.