Young leaders from China and the United States emphasized the urgent need to strengthen bilateral relations through sustained dialogue and practical cooperation during an event held at Tsinghua University in Beijing on Friday.

They said youth, through open conversation and collaborative action, hold the key to navigating challenges and unlocking a brighter future for both nations and the world.

The dialogue is a part of the "50,000 in Five Years" initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, which aims to bring 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over a five-year period.

The event brought together students from Harvard University, New York University, Peking University, and Tsinghua University for in-depth discussions on global challenges such as science, technology and innovation, social governance and green development.

Zhao Xiuye, a Tsinghua PhD candidate in public policy and management with 12 years of experience living and studying in the US, shared his journey as a beneficiary of educational exchange.

Recalling bonding with American classmates over the Beijing 2008 Olympics and US presidential campaigns, he highlighted shared experiences over differences. "Our happiness and sorrows do connect and there's far more that we share than that differentiates us between the United States and China," Zhao said.

He stressed the irreplaceable value of in-person interaction in an age of artificial intelligence, saying his mission was to help the world better understand China through rigorous academic work.

"In-person contact will never be replaced by AI. And whatever you learn online, you have to come here, be here and see us in person."

Lily Bailey, a first-year Harvard Business School student, underscored centering equality and shared prosperity in the global green transition and noted the necessity of stable international policies for decarbonization investments, praising China's continued focus.

She also highlighted the vast potential for "subnational collaboration" between US states, cities, universities, and their Chinese counterparts.

"We are a federal society. There are 50 states; we are not a monolith. There are many people and companies, and organizations, excited and interested in continuing cooperation."

Bai Benfeng, vice-president of Tsinghua University, drew a parallel between Beijing's coldest season and current global dynamics. Invoking traditional Chinese wisdom that "when things reach an extreme, they reverse", and the poet P.B. Shelley's line, "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?", he expressed optimism about future friendship between the youth of the two countries.

Ren Youqun, vice-minister of education, noted that 45,000 young Americans from all 50 states and Washington, DC, have already visited more than 200 cities in China's 31 provincial-level regions, as well as Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, fostering deep connections.

He encouraged the youth to become three key pillars: explorers fostering deep understanding beyond stereotypes; grounded practitioners who turn dialogue consensus into actionable solutions; and promoters of global development, safety, and civilization, contributing to a shared future for humanity.

zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn