Dozens of American students got a taste of some of China's most iconic historical treasures in Beijing on Friday while visiting the country on a cultural and sports exchange tour.
The tour is part of the initiative announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for an exchange and to study over five years.
The Great Wall is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world and a true treasure of Chinese history. For many of these American students, climbing the wall was an entirely novel experience and a chance to connect with China's storied history.
"I was super excited to come, but I think actually walking up has put into perspective how much work went into building this wall, and how important it is," said Isabelle, a high school student of the tour group.
Climbing its steep steps is both a challenge and a thrill -- a test of endurance and an unforgettable way to connect with the past.
"It's something that you've never seen before, unless in pictures, but pictures don't even do it justice," said Addison.
"Getting to go up a few steps and looking back and seeing everything behind us, and how the wall just keeps going, and us all being here together to see, that is really cool," said Remy.
"So many stairs. I was going to count them all, but I lost track at 300," said Declan.
After watching their peers in Beijing perform Chinese martial arts, the American students got their own taste of kung fu.
"It's going great. I learned some basic moves, and then I learned how to use the sword. And it's so fun, I'm having a ton of fun," said Haley.
Chinese students were also eager to get to know the young Americans.
"They were enthusiastic and earnest. It was easier than I expected to be able to talk with them," said Wang Yunuo, a student from Beijing No. 10 Middle School.
For these young visitors, this trip is about more than just sightseeing, but is also a chance to make new friends, experience a different culture, and build bridges of understanding between China and the United States.
American students experience Chinese iconic historical treasures in Beijing
The China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum is expected to bring new vitality to the global development and human civilization, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Beijing.
Petro, who delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum on Wednesday, told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview, while giving a special mention of the importance of the forum as a platform to reshape multilateralism.
"This Forum, held here in China, comes at a pivotal moment in history. And that's precisely what makes it so significant. It is taking place at a time when multilateralism is in urgent need of reshaping. There are some powers who believe they can rule the world through intimidation and shows of force. But with China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries standing together, we must make them understand: history is full of hard lessons. Those who once flexed their military might did not prevail. They may have enjoyed momentary success in the past, but this time, history will not repeat itself," he said.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Forum's operation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in his speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum that under the careful cultivation of both sides over the past 10 years, the China-CELAC Forum has grown from a tender sapling into a towering tree.
Petro hailed the relations between China and LAC countries over the past decade, saying that the cooperation is expected to energize the global development and human civilization.
"Yes, exactly, a tree. A strong and thriving tree, with deep and well-developed roots firmly anchored in the earth. There's no doubt that over the past ten years, trade in physical goods between China and LAC countries has grown substantially. China is involved in building the Bogota metro project. China is also constructing a port in Peru, and many other large-scale infrastructure projects are being advanced through Chinese investment and engineering expertise. When we link the cultural and civilizational threads of China and LAC countries, it's as if we are nurturing a living tree, one that grows tall toward the sky and promises to bring new vitality to the human civilization," he said.
China-CELAC Forum brings new vitality to global development: Colombian president
