A U.S. student who is currently studying at China's prestigious Peking University has told China Media Group about Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to his alma mater about a decade ago, and said he would love to play a role in promoting friendly exchanges between the United States and China.
In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan toured Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington State, during their state visit to the United States. Inside the school auditorium, they enjoyed a choir performance by Chinese and American students.
Xi presented the Lincoln High students with gifts including a ping-pong table and other table tennis equipment.
Xi’s visit and his generous gifts left a deep impression on people in Tacoma.
In July 2023, the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association and other friends of China in the U.S. state of Washington sent a letter to Xi, saying that part of his gift to Lincoln High School -- the table tennis equipment -- had sparked a love of table tennis among Tacoma's young people and boosted cultural ties between the two countries.
One of the U.S. students who have drawn a lot of inspiration from Xi's visit is Zhuang Qining.
"I'm Zhuang Qining from the United States. I was honored to perform as a member of the Lincoln High School Choir for Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife in 2015," he said.
During his visit to Lincoln High School, Xi also delivered a speech, talking about the era of "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" and inviting 100 students from the school to visit China in 2016. The invitation won thunderous applause from attendees, Zhuang recalled.
"I remember the most exciting moment was when President Xi invited 100 Lincoln High School students to visit China. After we heard this through the translator, everyone stood up and clapped,” he said.
In 2016, a total of 118 students and teachers from the school visited Chinese cities including Fuzhou, Chengdu and Beijing.
Some of them later decided to study in China, including Zhuang.
"I began studying at Peking University in 2020. In fact, my enrollment at Peking University is closely related to President Xi's speech at Lincoln High School back then. President Xi mentioned at Lincoln High School that 'one needs to not only read 10,000 books, but also travel 10,000 miles to know the world', which ignited my desire to study at Peking University. When my family knew that I was going to study at Peking University, they were very supportive. My father is also a graduate of Lincoln High School, and he hopes that I can carry on the friendship," he said.
Zhuang, who is currently researching artificial intelligence at Peking University, said he tries to integrate the advantages of both China and the U.S. to make technological breakthroughs that benefit humanity despite national borders.
"Our team is currently conducting research on a multimodal large model based on our team's self-developed technology. I believe that the United States is at the forefront of AI research, while China has significant opportunities in AI research and applications. I hope to integrate the advantages of AI and interdisciplinary studies between China and the United States. Throughout my study, the most profound lesson I've learned is that 'science knows no borders'. In this process, students from both China and the United States are very pure in their intentions, all aiming to enhance technology and make breakthroughs, which is of the greatest significance to society," he continued.
Zhuang said that this March, students from Lincoln High School visited Peking University and played table tennis with Chinese counterparts, reminding him of the time when he played table tennis at his alma mater, and the "Ping Pong Diplomacy" President Xi talked about.
He noted that the young generation from both countries could pass on the friendship and create a better future by working together.
U.S. student studying in China plays role in boosting exchanges
