The power of people-to-people exchanges as a force multiplier

Chinese President Xi Jinping's just-concluded state visit to the United States was the first of its kind in more than a decade. A great number of topics were discussed but perhaps one of the most important for our shared futures is the continuation and hopeful expansion of "people-to-people diplomacy".

President Xi is highly commended for his insight and foresight in recognizing the importance of "people-to-people diplomacy". This includes a particular emphasis on student exchanges. His announcement in 2023 that China was inviting 50,000 young people from the US to visit China over the next five years is an encouraging demonstration of this.

Only a small fraction of the world's population has ever travelled beyond their countries' borders. It is little wonder why so much fear, misunderstanding and misperception exists. This fear is often based upon the unknown or only what we see, hear or read in the media.

As a US citizen who has lived in China for the past decade and loves and respects both countries, I am glad to see that perceptions of China are changing in the US based on the known rather than hearsay. According to recent research by the Pew Research Center, a growing percentage of Americans today have a positive view of China. A shift in perception is especially pronounced among the younger generation.

People-to-people exchanges are evident here in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, where I live. The province has a unique history, love and respect for international openness and exchange. The region's spirit of openness can be traced back more than 1,500 years when it served as one of the starting points of the ancient Maritime Silk Road which was the gateway to Asia.

Having worked in the field of international relations and seeing first-hand the positive impact of student exchanges, I am a strong proponent of people-to-people exchanges as a means to foster mutual understanding.

More than a decade ago, I helped organize a student exchange visit between a high school in the US and Xiehe Middle School in Guangzhou.

This group of US high school volleyball players, including my daughter, still fondly remembers climbing the Great Wall; visiting the Olympic stadium in Beijing; their Pearl River cruise and the cultural sites, bright lights and Cantonese delicacies of Guangzhou; dancing in the local parks with elderly residents and even their introduction to WeChat.

Hosted by families here in Guangzhou, these US students ignored the cookies and potato chips they had packed and hidden in their suitcases to enjoy delicious Chinese food. When it was time to host our exchange student from China when she visited the US, our family particularly enjoyed welcoming and introducing her to everything we could and her father here in Guangzhou has become a good friend.

I was recently reminded of the importance of such exchange programs when asked to help welcome and accompany high school exchange students from the US state of Washington. Their trip to China was also filled with awe, fascination and wonder. They experienced technology, vibrant cities and delicious cuisine ranging from Peking Duck to my personal all-time favorite — dim sum. I have yet to meet any visitor who does not share my passion and love of Cantonese food.

Perhaps most telling, almost every visiting student I have met over the past decade has remarked how warm, welcomed and safe they felt. Students proudly share, often through tears, how they were treated as family rather than strangers. Their trip to China was life-changing. Before they left, I was happy to teach them "Wo Ai Guangzhou!" (I love Guangzhou) which they enthusiastically cheered on the bus.

As a famous Chinese saying goes, when hearts are aligned, mountains and seas are no obstacle. Friendships are not limited by geographic boundaries and these students continue to stay in contact as they have become life-long friends. I have seen young minds develop different perspectives through greater global understanding and appreciation. These first-hand experiences cannot be learned from a book or in a classroom.

I call these student exchange programs "force multipliers". Domestic and foreign participants meet each other face-to-face, learn from one another and form lasting bonds based on mutual respect and empathy. These positive experiences and bonds are then exponentially multiplied as they are shared with family and friends in their respective US and Chinese communities.

As our world undergoes unprecedented change, it is becoming more complicated by the day. The importance of people-to-people exchanges is perhaps greater than ever.

The author is the executive director of the Secretariat Office for the Alliance of Guangzhou International Sister-City Universities and founder of the Globalliance Group.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.