A group of 20 young people,including Liu Runjie,a fourth-year electronic engineering student at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), took part in a maritime exchange program between China and the United States. The two-week voyage in March and April allowed these students to connect directly,breaking down stereotypes that often divide the two nations.
Liu talked about his experiences,mentioning how personal interaction and a food delivery app, Meituan,helped bridge cultural gaps. He felt honored to receive a letter from President Xi Jinping, who praised the initiative and urged young people to keep promoting understanding through cultural exchanges. Liu said the president's response showed the program's success and called on youth to be ambassadors of goodwill.
Looking back on voyage, Liu pointed out that many barriers come from a lack of personal contact. “What we truly saw and felt during the voyage,and genuine friendship forged between us,could be seen,valued and recognised by country.” Direct communication matters. Shared experiences can build lasting friendships across cultures.
