Youthful Journey Over 100 U.S. Scholars and Students Kick off Exploring Trip in Chongqing
People-to-people exchanges between China and the United States flourish. From April 9 to 12, a delegation of 106 scholars and students from over 20 prestigious American universities, including UC Berkeley and UCLA, is visiting Chongqing for a multi-day program of technological and cultural exchange activities.
On April 9, the delegation arrived from Chengdu and attended a launch ceremony at the Chongqing University Science Center. Nora Andrea Martinez, a youth representative from the U.S., shared her excitement, "This is my second trip to China. From the winter scenery in Beijing and the pandas in Chengdu to Chongqing now, I can’t wait to experience the technological progress, the subway through buildings, and the cuisine in Chongqing."
It is reported that one of the organizers of this exchange event is the American Flying Tigers Friendship Association. Xu Shaoli, President of the Association, stated that the mission aims to ensure the historical ties represented by the Flying Tigers spirit are passed down through generations.
He noted that first-hand experience far outweighs textbooks, as students were deeply impressed by China’s bullet train and modern urban development. He hopes the younger generation will become tellers of "new stories," sharing their authentic experiences to encourage more Americans to visit China.
In addition to the ceremony, students enjoyed an immersive experience of various Intangible Cultural Heritages, headlined by the Tongliang Dragon Dance. As a national-level heritage, the dance is world-renowned for its powerful movements simulating a soaring dragon and serves as a signature of Chongqing culture.
Following the ceremony, students gathered at the Science Center entrance for a visual feast. Accompanied by rhythmic background music, a vibrant silk dragon coiled and darted through the air, captivating the audience.
