Xi Jinping invites 1 lakh young Americans to China over next five years

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday announced plans to invite 100,000 young Americans to China for study and exchange visits over the next five years, saying ties between the two countries depended on younger generations.

“The hope of China-US relationship lies in our people, and its future lies with the young,” Xi said at the White House during his visit to the United States.

The new invitation follows a programme Xi announced in 2023 for 50,000 young Americans to visit China over five years. According to the Chinese account, that target was met ahead of schedule this year.

Xi and US President Donald Trump also drew on the countries’ cooperation during the Second World War. Xi said Chinese and Americans had fought “shoulder-to-shoulder” against fascist aggression and that neither country had forgotten that history.

Trump recalled the Flying Tigers, the American volunteer pilots who fought alongside China against Japan. He said that despite their differences, the two countries had common interests and could work together on security and technology.

Xi said China’s goal of national rejuvenation and Trump’s ambition to “make America great again” could “go hand in hand”. The exchange announcement offered a concrete people-to-people initiative as the leaders discussed the broader relationship.