Xi Jinping Encourages U.S. University Students to Foster Bilateral Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a reply letter to nearly 100 students from 10 American universities, including Harvard University, encouraging them to act as bridges of friendship and help stabilize bilateral relations. The students had recently visited China to participate in youth exchange initiatives, including the '2026 China-U.S. Youth Asia-Pacific Journey of Shared Hearts.' In his message, Xi urged young people from both countries to shoulder shared generational responsibilities, deepen mutual understanding, and contribute to the steady, long-term development of China-U.S. ties.

Against the backdrop of complex geopolitical competition between Beijing and Washington, high-level outreach to American university students reflects China's emphasis on sub-national and people-to-people diplomacy. By engaging American youth directly, Beijing aims to cultivate future goodwill, counter negative perceptions, and build a societal buffer for bilateral relations over the long term.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has replied to a letter sent by nearly 100 students from 10 American higher education institutions, including Harvard University, encouraging them to help sustain bilateral friendship and cooperation, according to reports published by Chinese state media. The students had recently visited China to take part in thematic youth exchange programs, most notably an initiative titled the "2026 China-U.S. Youth Asia-Pacific Journey of Shared Hearts." Following their trip, the group wrote to Xi to recount their impressions of Chinese culture, reflect on their educational experiences, and express a willingness to serve as cross-Pacific messengers of goodwill. In his reply, Xi stated that he was pleased to learn that the students had enjoyed a pleasant and memorable trip. He emphasized that youth from both China and the United States inhabit the same planet and share the mission of their era. He urged the students to join hands with their peers in both nations to act as inheritors, defenders, and developers of friendly bilateral cooperation. Xi also noted that enhanced youth dialogue can help people in both nations understand each other more closely, thereby assisting bilateral ties to progress steadily and contributing to broader global welfare. The exchange represents another instance of Beijing using personal correspondence from the head of state to reinforce public diplomacy. Over recent years, Chinese leadership has repeatedly utilized letters to American youth, educational groups, and cultural associations to demonstrate openness to grassroots engagement, even as government-level relations remain competitive across security, trade, and technology domains.