On April 29, a Chinese-foreign Youth Forum on China-US relations was held in the online group organized by the Chinese Bridge of Donghua University. Dr. Liu Yawei, senior advisor on China at the Carter Center, was invited as a guest speaker to share with Chinese and foreign youth on the history of China-US relations, the challenges and opportunities faced by the two countries, and the responsibilities of youth in civil communication. Dr. Zhao Yanshu from Future International Education and Lu Zhou, Director of the Chinese Language Centre of the International Cultural Exchange School, co-chaired this online forum.
The forum started off with an exchange briefing between Chinese and foreign youths. Six groups of Chinese and foreign students presented their views on the topics of US-China relations discussed by them respectively, covering topics such as ping-pong diplomacy, cooperation efforts and frictions between China and the US in the diplomatic and economic fields. Liu Yawei commented on each group's presentation and offered suggestions on how to view the relationship between the two countries in a comprehensive manner. Liu Yawei reviewed the twists and turns in the development of bilateral relations and the results achieved that have influenced the world landscape, and emphasized the positive significance of strengthening bilateral people-to-people exchanges and the important role played by young people in the current situation, through recapping the modern diplomatic history between China and the United States. He encouraged the young people to develop more effective exchanges across cultures and borders, and to contribute their wisdom and take up their responsibilities for the development of bilateral relations in a positive way. After the lecture, Liu Yawei also gave his insights into the issues of cultural confidence, rational dialogue and China's diplomatic image, which are of concern to young people in China and abroad.
The whole event, rolled out in a lively atmosphere, broadened the horizons of Chinese and foreign students and enhanced their ability to see international through a comprehensive perspective, giving everyone a deeper understanding of the importance of China-US relations. As General Secretary Xi Jinping said, "The people of China and the United States share simple and friendly feelings for each other. The roots of China-American friendship lie in the people, and the hope lies in the youth". We hope that through this forum, Chinese and foreign youth will pay more attention to bilateral civil exchanges and make positive contributions to the healthy and stable development of relations between the two countries.