US teens learn to create paper-cut art at Zhejiang Ocean University. [Photo provided by He Xianting for the official news website of Zhoushan]

The 2025 "Hi, Young" youth cultural exchange program between China and the United States got underway on Dec 17 at Zhejiang Ocean University in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, with 50 teenagers from Richmond, California, participating in a week-long study tour.

On the first day, they visited the university's history museum and model aircraft laboratory, getting a closer look at China's academic atmosphere and marine technology innovations. During a marine culture paper-cutting class, they learned to cut sea-creature designs.

On Dec 18, they visited Zhoushan's traditional businesses, tried their hand at creating fisherman's paintings, and participated in Sino-US youth dialogues, immersing themselves in Chinese culture and marine education.

In October, Zhejiang Ocean University and the Richmond-Zhoushan Sister-City Commission signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in areas such as youth exchanges, language training, and student exchanges, continuing a friendship between Zhoushan and Richmond that has lasted over 30 years.