Chinese President Xi Jinping recently responded to a letter from a U.S. delegation of 44 teachers and students who visited China under his “50,000 in Five Years” initiative, which aims to bring 50,000 young Americans to China for cultural and educational exchanges. The delegation toured cities including Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing, forging lasting friendships with Chinese youth, notably through the sport of pickleball—a rapidly growing paddle sport in China that has become a new cultural bridge between the two countries. Xi expressed hope that these young visitors would become ambassadors of friendship, emphasizing that the future of China-U.S. relations depends on youth engagement.
The trip was described as transformative by participants, who experienced Chinese culture firsthand through hospitality, traditional crafts, and visits to high-tech companies. The delegation highlighted the power of sports, especially pickleball, to transcend cultural barriers and foster mutual respect and understanding, echoing the historic “Ping-Pong Diplomacy” of the 1970s. Long-term partnerships between U.S. and Chinese schools have been established, with sports exchanges playing a key role. The initiative has already brought nearly 15,000 American youth to China, with hopes to expand such programs to deepen people-to-people ties and shape a shared future between the two nations.
