Youth exchange connects future leaders
A youth exchange program under the Philadelphia-Tianjin partnership expanded in 2024 with virtual and in-person exchanges, including a May delegation from Parkway Center City Middle College visiting Tianjin, fostering cultural understanding between students and educators. The initiative, part of President Xi Jinping’s 2023 invitation for 50,000 US youth to visit China, aims to strengthen bilateral ties through long-term educational projects and virtual platforms like the Junior Diplomats program.
The Philadelphia-Tianjin partnership, established in 1980, has expanded its youth exchange programs to deepen cultural and educational ties between the US and China. In 2024, the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin, Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, Tianjin Foreign Languages School (TFLS), and the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia launched the Junior Diplomats online program. This virtual platform connects students from both cities, building bridges through discussions, joint classes, and cultural activities. In May, a delegation from Parkway Center City Middle College in Pennsylvania visited Tianjin, continuing a reciprocal exchange after TFLS students traveled to Philadelphia in February. The trip included themed discussions, homestays, and shared experiences in traditional Chinese culture, with students discovering commonalities despite geographic divides. Nathanael Owen Targono, a Parkway student, highlighted the trip’s impact, expressing hope to maintain connections with new friends. Educators also benefited from the exchange, with Dennis William Mulvey of Parkway and Zhang Yuwang, vice-principal of TFLS, collaborating on teaching methods and cultural understanding. Their discussions, often aided by translation apps, emphasized practical ways to foster mutual comprehension among students. The program is set to grow, with plans for Tianjin students to visit Philadelphia in 2025 during Independence Day celebrations. Organizers are also exploring year-round virtual exchanges and joint educational initiatives. Samuel Chueh, commissioner of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, called the exchange timely, stressing its role in shaping long-term China-US relations and city-to-city cooperation. The initiative aligns with President Xi Jinping’s 2023 announcement inviting 50,000 US youth to China over five years, signaling a broader commitment to people-to-people engagement. Luan Jianzhang of Tianjin’s Foreign Affairs Office noted that such exchanges plant seeds for future friendship, positioning students as cultural envoys across the Pacific.
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