Xinhua reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a White House welcome ceremony on September 24, during a state visit, that China will invite 100,000 American young people over the next five years. The Global Times said Chinese and American youth witnessed the initiative's new start.
According to Xinhua, Xi announced at the White House welcome ceremony on September 24 local time that China would invite 100,000 young Americans for exchange and study over the next five years. The Global Times later ran a piece headlined that Chinese and American youth witnessed the start of the 5-year, 100,000 initiative, though we could not confirm its full text.
광고 문의 · 300×250The plan follows the pledge made in San Francisco in November 2023 to invite 50,000 young Americans over five years. Xinhua said that goal was met about two years early, with more than 50,000 young people from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. visiting China. That figure is China's own count, and the reports show no separate U.S. data.
The purpose as stated by Beijing
Xinhua reported Xi as saying the foundation of China-US ties lies with the people and their future with young people, and that exchange programs will continue however circumstances change, given the strong demand for cooperation. That is the agency's account.
Xinhua said the exchanges have widened from middle school and university students to early-career scholars and into sports and music. The participants and supporters it quoted said seeing China firsthand matters for people-to-people bonds. These are voices selected by Chinese state media and should be read with care.
U.S. views and open questions
In the United States, welcome for youth exchange has coexisted with calls for caution that such programs could become entangled with political and security issues. No formal U.S. government assessment appears in these reports.
Whether the target is met will depend on visas, scheduling, safety and the course of bilateral relations. Details of recruitment and budget have not yet been published, and we will follow later announcements.