In midsummer June, the coastal city welcomes guests; across the ocean, youth gather. On June 1, 2026, the "Technology Empowers · Exploring China" American university student study tour to China of Dalian Maple Leaf College of Technology was grandly launched. This study tour is an important practice for the college to thoroughly implement the major initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping to "invite 50,000 American young people to come to China for exchanges and study over the next five years," and is a landmark activity for deepening China-U.S. cultural exchanges and cultivating the foundation of youth friendship. It opens a brand-new chapter of mutual learning and mutual appreciation between Chinese and American youth with high standards, high quality, and high specifications.

On June 1, the flight carrying the American study tour group arrived smoothly at Dalian International Airport. Eilis, Group General Manager and Vice President of the college, led a team to personally welcome them at the airport, meeting and warmly exchanging with the American vice president, professors, and all university students. He made comprehensive arrangements for transportation, accommodation, and itinerary support throughout the entire process, conveying the warmth of China through thoughtful and meticulous service, and demonstrating the international style of Maple Leaf vocational education with an open and inclusive attitude. The American teachers and students who had traveled from afar felt deeply warmed and were full of expectations for the Chinese culture and technology study tour that was about to begin.

On the morning of June 2, the study tour opening ceremony was solemnly held at the college's Daheishi Campus. Chairperson Yang Ping of the school attended the ceremony and delivered a speech, extending the warmest welcome to the American study tour group on behalf of all teachers and students. She emphasized that in November 2023, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced in San Francisco that China is willing to invite 50,000 American young people to come to China for exchanges and study over the next five years. This important initiative has pointed the direction and injected strong momentum for China-U.S. people-to-people friendship and youth exchanges. At present, this goal has been successfully achieved two and a half years ahead of schedule, fully demonstrating the vibrant vitality and the will of the people in China-U.S. youth exchanges.

Chairperson Yang Ping pointed out that Dalian Maple Leaf College of Technology has always adhered to the original aspiration of serving the country through education, actively serving the overall situation of national cultural exchanges, and taking the implementation of President Xi Jinping's "50,000 in 5 years" initiative as the core task of international education. This study tour, themed "Technology Empowers · Exploring China," has been meticulously designed with a series of activities including campus visits, industry college experiences, study of excellent traditional Chinese culture, exploration of cutting-edge technology, university exchanges, and urban and historical culture visits. It will allow American young students to personally experience the profound charm of excellent traditional Chinese culture, gain an intuitive understanding of the development achievements of Chinese vocational education and technological innovation, and immerse themselves in recognizing a real, three-dimensional, and comprehensive new-era China.

She expressed her hope that Chinese and American youth would take this study tour as a bond, open their hearts, learn from each other, make friends and exchange hearts, and strive to become friendship messengers across the Pacific Ocean. She encouraged them to transform their exchange gains into lasting friendships and contribute youthful strength to promoting the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations. At the ceremony, the speech was inspiring and uplifting, and the group photo captured beautiful moments. In the warm and solemn atmosphere, this American university student study tour to China formally set sail.

Young people are the future and hope of China-U.S. relations, and cultural exchanges are the solid foundation of friendship between the two countries. Dalian Maple Leaf College of Technology will take this study tour as a new starting point, continuously deepen international education cooperation, continuously enrich exchange forms and expand cooperation areas, and continuously practice President Xi Jinping's "50,000 in 5 years" major initiative with solid actions. It will fully build a solid bridge for Chinese and American youth to learn and exchange, blend cultures, and connect hearts.

With culture as the bridge, technology as the wings, and friendship as the sail, this study tour formally opens a magnificent journey for Chinese and American youth to know each other, learn from each other, and preserve their friendship forever. It will write a more splendid and profound chapter of the era for deepening China-U.S. cultural exchanges, cultivating the foundation of people-to-people friendship, and promoting the world's youth to move forward hand in hand.