'I always knew China is great, but after this trip, it really feels like home. I want to tell my family they have to come and experience this culture and diversity for themselves," Nyiobhe Anxe Reyes, a student from Bard High School Early College (Baltimore), shared during a trip to Xiamen, a coastal city in the southeastern Chinese province of Fujian, on July 19.

On July 17-22, the U.S. Youth Ambassadors in Xiamen program brought 27 students and teachers from Baltimore, Maryland and Orange County, California, to Xiamen for an immersive cultural and friendship exchange.

"This exchange gave us a real opportunity to understand each other. I believe this friendship will continue. I hope that everyone who visits China or the U.S. in the future can feel the strong bonds we've built," Reyes told Beijing Review.

Xiamen is home to one of the first four special economic zones in China, established in the early 1980s. Dubbed a window of the country's opening-up, it has been at the forefront of pursuing high-quality development on all fronts.

Harmony and integration

On the morning of July 19, American and Chinese youth visited the Wuyuanwan (Wuyuan Bay) Wetland Park, often referred to as the "green lung" of Xiamen. There, they participated in a "nature classroom" focused on the city's efforts to harmonize human activity with nature—particularly through its wetland bird conservation initiative.

The city's transformation, particularly the revitalization of Wuyuan Bay and Yundang Lake since the mid-1980s, stood out as remarkable examples of ecological restoration and urban planning.

Once polluted and neglected, Wuyuan Bay has been rehabilitated into Xiamen's iconic "guest house," while Yundang Lake now boasts clear water and thriving wildlife.

Since 2002, Xiamen has undertaken a succession of renovation and development projects in five bay areas, namely, Haicang, Wuyuan, Xinglin, Tongan and Maluan. By dredging seawall openings, restoring mangrove shorelines and revitalizing beaches, it has created a pleasant living environment around the bays.

"What has impressed me the most is definitely the wildlife here. Learning that there are over 500 different species of animals or different birds here is very impressive," Janelli Moriah Gonzalez, a student from Bard High School Early College (Baltimore), said.

Aaron Israel Nava, a student from Orange County Music & Dance, hailed it as a "cool and unique experience." "As for the nature here, it's a lot more greenery, and you see a lot more trees than I'm used to in California. I feel like China has embraced more nature than the U.S., considering a lot of the highways and the streets are filled with bushes and trees," he said.

As part of the visit, the participating youth also planted "friendship trees" and signed them with their names.

"I found planting the trees here meaningful because it gives us a chance to explore more of the Chinese community and also gives us a chance to leave our roots here," Reyes said.

Chelsea Nakabayashi, a faculty member at Bard High School Early College (Baltimore), said, despite the heat and humidity in Xiamen, where temperatures reached 34 degrees Celsius that day, "[the American youths] just got right to work. They really appreciated the opportunity to engage."

"I've heard the saying that planting a tree is like planting a life," Nakabayashi said. "I think we share a similar idea with China—one of growth, continuity and hope, even in challenging times."

Nakabayashi began learning Chinese in high school and first came to China in the 1980s. She eventually earned a Ph.D. at Beijing Normal University and became a dedicated educator. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized the importance of early connections in shaping future relationships.

"It's sentimental to know that something we've planted here will continue to grow, even after we return to America. It's a lasting connection—something we'll always share with our Chinese friends. As it grows, I hope our friendship grows with it," Gonzalez said.

History and culture

In 1985, then Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer led a 21-member delegation to Xiamen to establish a sister-city relationship. One year later, Xiamen Mayor Zou Erjun reciprocated with a visit. Since then, both cities have carried out numerous exchanges and joint projects, and enriched their connection over generations.

"This effort of people-to-people exchange never changes," Nakabayashi said. "Even if it slows at times, it always returns. That's the one constant in our (U.S.-China) relationship."

"Given the current state of our relations, parents worry about sending their children to China, especially with the concerns shaped by our media. But the students who've already been here have become strong advocates. They're telling their friends, 'It's okay. You should come. You'll love it.' And I believe that's how we keep the relationship going. Through them, no matter what happens, we can truly change the course of our countries' relations," she added.

This sentiment came to life during the program. For many of the American participants, the experience was transformative.

Throughout the program, the young participants dove deep into Xiamen's rich cultural heritage. On Zhongshan Road, they explored century-old shops and tasted traditional snacks. At Xiamen Incense Museum, they learned Chinese incense burning under the guidance of an artisan. Inside the Hongyanzhuang Puppet Art Museum, youths were captivated by a traditional glove puppet performance, or muouxi. They even painted their own puppets, a beautiful blend of tradition, creativity and friendship.

Glove puppetry is a form of puppet theater featuring wooden puppets adorned in traditional Chinese costumes. The puppeteer uses their hands and fingers to create a mesmerizing performance.

"The magical, dazzling world of glove puppetry pulled me right into Chinese culture," Verena Lo, a student from Orange County Music & Dance, said. "Even though our cultures are different, we were able to experience and create art together with our Chinese friends."

Wendy Castille, a faculty member of Orange County Music & Dance, described the trip to Xiamen as "a journey of heartfelt connection."

"Our visit to the city has shown the students the warmth, generosity and kindness of the Xiamen people," she said. "It's wonderful to see American and Chinese youth walk this path together, exploring different cultures and forming genuine friendships."

"Our seniors in America made the connections with the seniors here in Xiamen 40 years ago. They had a vision for us," Nakabayashi said, adding "I hope this inspires our youth to carry the responsibility forward."

(Print Edition Title: Bridge of Hearts)

(Reporting from Xiamen, Fujian Province)

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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