The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) inaugurated the "China-U.S. Youth Exchange Base" in Kuliang, Fuzhou, Fujian province on December 26 with a plaque awarding ceremony.

Participants pose a photo during the plaque awarding ceremony for the "China-U.S. Youth Exchange Base" in Kuliang, Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

Yang Wanming, president of CPAFFC, and Guo Ningning, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee, spoke at the event, joined by Shen Xin, vice-president of CPAFFC, Wu Xiande, mayor of Fuzhou, and around 50 Chinese and American youth representatives.

Yang Wanming, president of CPAFFC, delivers a speech during the plaque awarding ceremony for the "China-U.S. Youth Exchange Base" in Kuliang, Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

Yang Wanming emphasized the strong collaboration between Fujian and Fuzhou with CPAFFC, leading to events like the "Bond with Kuliang: 2023 China-U.S. People-to-People Friendship Forum" and "Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival". The new base in Kuliang aims to provide a platform for ongoing China-U.S. youth exchanges, leveraging Fujian's diplomatic experience and Kuliang's rich resources. CPAFFC plans to work with local governments to host "Bond with Kuliang" activities, invite American youth, and continue the Kuliang legacy. The goal is for the base to foster friendship and engage more social forces in retelling Kuliang stories and promoting the China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges, said Yang.

Guo Ningning thanked CPAFFC for supporting Fuzhou's international friendships and noted that Kuliang is a century-old symbol of China-U.S. friendship, which serves as a vital window for many American youth to gain insights into China. The designation of Kuliang as the site for the "China-U.S. Youth Exchange Base" offers an expanded platform for Fuzhou to enhance civil exchanges with the United States. She vowed to use the base to enhance exchanges, invite American youth, and expand the base's influence, making Kuliang a key platform for China-U.S. civilian and youth relations.

Zheng Linshujie and Cecilia Cobbs, representatives of Chinese and American youth, pledged to deepen exchanges and friendships, continuing the China-U.S. friendship and contributing to the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations.

Shen Xin, vice-president of CPAFFC, presents the plaque for the "China-U.S. Youth Exchange Base" to Yan Tao, director of the Kuliang Management Committee. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

The ceremony culminated with Shen Xin presenting the plaque on behalf of CPAFFC to Yan Tao, director of the Kuliang Management Committee. Following the ceremony, Yang Wanming, Guo Ningning, and the accompanying delegation were briefed on Kuliang's development plan.