Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday announced that 100,000 young Americans will be invited to visit China for exchanges and study over the next five years. He made the announcement at the White House, where he said people-to-people ties, especially among the young, would shape the future of China-US relations.
The announcement came after a similar plan unveiled in 2023, under which 50,000 young Americans were invited for exchanges and study over five years. That target, according to the report, was achieved this year ahead of schedule. During the event, Xi and US President Donald Trump also referred to past cooperation between the two countries during the Second World War and spoke about common interests in the present.
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“The hope of China-US relationship lies in our people, and its future lies with the young. I am glad to announce an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study in the coming five years,” Xi said. He also referred to the Second World War, saying Chinese and Americans had fought “shoulder-to-shoulder” against “fascist” aggression. “Chinese people have never forgotten that part of history, nor have the American people,” Xi said.
Xi also said, “Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, achieving the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation and making America great again can go hand in hand. Let us meet the people’s expectations and show our historical initiative. Let us keep advancing the cause of friendship between our two peoples, and work together to build a better world.” Earlier, Trump had referred to the US role in helping China during the Second World War against Japanese aggression.
Trump listed issues concerning security, technology and superintelligence, and said the decisions taken by him and Xi in these areas could promote peace and prosperity for decades. “We focus on our common interests, and I’m confident there is much we can achieve throughout history,” he said. “Pursuit of those common interests has connected our people across the vast oceans of big, tremendous distances and many differences, and even made us allies in World War II,” Trump said.
Trump also recalled wartime links between the two countries. “Look at the greatness that we had together fighting in World War II. Brave American pilots volunteered to come to China and fight for the very survival of the legendary country, that legendary Flying Tigers group. They were just unbelievable,” he said. He added, “And it was the United States Marines’ encounter with Chinese people that inspired the Marines to adopt a Chinese phrase they still use today, ‘Gung Ho.’ The Marines use it as an expression of great enthusiasm, but in Chinese it literally means working together.” The remarks from both leaders combined Xi’s fresh youth exchange announcement with references to historical ties and present-day cooperation.
With PTI Inputs
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
