Jack, how have you been lately? "On March 1st, Zhang Xuanwei, a high school student at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in Hebei Province, sent a greeting via email to his friend Jack, who is far away at Mascatine High School in the United States, and shared his recent situation. Today is the second day of the second lunar month in China, which is commonly known as the 'Dragon Raising its Head' day in Chinese folklore. I had my hair cut to get a good haircut... "One month ago, the two met and quickly became good friends. On the first day of the Chinese New Year in the Year of the Snake, when Zhang Xuanwei walked into the sixth floor of the hotel, the bright red characters for blessings, window decorations, Chinese knots and other decorations made him instantly feel warm and friendly. This is not China, but the Merrill Hotel located in the small town of Muscatine, Iowa, USA. In the center of the sixth floor hall, more than 20 round tables are arranged in sequence, and more than 200 Chinese and American students gather together to celebrate the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake and participate in the "Model United Nations Future Leaders Summit" (hereinafter referred to as the "Summit Event"). Zhang Xuanwei thus made many American friends, including Jack. Since the establishment of the Friendship School in 2014, Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School has agreed to regularly conduct exchange activities with Mascatine Middle School. Over the years, students from both sides have formed a deep friendship through friendly exchanges, learning from each other, and getting to know each other. The first time we met, it seemed like an old friend we had known for many years on a flight from China to the United States. Zhang Xuanwei couldn't help but feel excited and said, "This will be my first time celebrating Chinese New Year overseas." Mascatine is already a familiar name to Zhang Xuanwei. Listening to the lead teacher Shao Ming introducing the past exchange activities between the two schools, Zhang Xuanwei's heart was filled with anticipation. On the sixth floor of the Meril Hotel lobby, there are over 200 Chinese and American students, including students from four Chinese schools such as Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School and Beijing Normal University Affiliated Middle School, as well as students from eight American schools such as Muscatine High School and Iowa City High School. The wonderful martial arts, lion dance and other performances at the welcome ceremony made Chinese and American students very enthusiastic. Zhang Xuanwei discovered that his neighbor's table was a student from Mascatine High School. I know Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School and we have always had communication, "said Jack, a student at Mascatine High School, to Zhang Xuanwei. The two immediately became friendly. I'm glad to spend the Spring Festival with you here. It feels special and unforgettable Zhang Xuanwei responded. Jack nodded and expressed his curiosity about Chinese culture. After arriving at Muscatine, we also made a special trip to the China US Friendship House located at 2911 Bonnie Street Zhang Xuanwei said, "This makes us deeply feel the profound friendship between the two peoples. Last January, 29 teachers and students from the "Friendship Inheritance" study group of Mascatine High School came to China for exchange, and one of their stops was Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School. On that day, students from both Chinese and American schools held a "Friendship Inheritance" themed activity at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School. They drew patterns full of friendship on a 45 meter long white painting scroll Pei Hongxia, Secretary of the Party Branch of Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, said. Visiting the Great Wall, visiting museums, playing table tennis, and watching giant pandas... Last April, 32 students from Mascatine High School flew to China to pair up with students from Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School for a "friendship inheritance" study activity. Organizing two study tours to China in such a short period of time shows that Chinese study tours are very popular Ryan Scott Castle, the principal of the high school department at Mascatine High School, said, "When forming the second batch of study tours, many children who participated in the first batch still wanted to sign up again, but we had to leave the opportunity for more children who are full of longing for China." In exchange for sincerity, hearts are closer. "Yes, brother, fasten the ball with three fingers, hold your arms tightly when swinging the ball, and keep your body upright..." During the gap between the summit activities, the organizers organized a bowling competition between Chinese and American students. Before the game, Jack enthusiastically explained the ball holding method and dribbling posture to Zhang Xuanwei, who didn't understand bowling. After listening to the explanation, Zhang Xuanwei spread his feet shoulder width apart and quickly assisted in walking. At the same time, he extended his arms forward and downward, flipped his wrist, and drove the bowling ball to spin and fly out. Subsequently, with a loud bang, eight bottles collapsed instantly. Great, you have great talent Seeing Zhang Xuanwei's outstanding performance, Jack first jumped up excitedly, then praised and reached out his hands to celebrate with Zhang Xuanwei. Encouraged by Jack, Zhang Xuanwei gradually became more confident and his dribbling movements became more and more standard. Jack not only taught me seriously, but also generously praised me, which made me feel very accomplished, "said Zhang Xuanwei. We talked very well and even left each other's contact information. The small ball brings people closer together, and the competition enhances friendship. After the game, Zhang Xuanwei and Jack cooperated more seamlessly at the summit event. Students take on the role of representatives from various countries and simulate participating in "United Nations conferences" to engage in in-depth discussions on global hot topics such as intellectual property, war refugees, e-commerce and data privacy, Arctic development and governance. The "draft resolution" jointly drafted by Zhang Xuanwei and Jack was recognized by the organizing committee and won an award. In the exchange and communication between Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School and Mascatine Middle School, students from both schools learn from each other and their hearts are closer to each other. It's like an old acquaintance at first sight Referring to the experience of participating in the "Friendship Inheritance" research activity last April, Chen Xingyu, a graduate of Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, said with emotion that he was surprised to meet Wang Junde, a like-minded friend. "Although he is an American, he loves Chinese culture and has given him a Chinese name. We have similar personalities and hobbies, both like history, and have endless conversations." He took out his mobile phone and opened the photo album, and Chen Xingyu showed a group photo of him and Wang Junde to the reporter: in Zhengding, an ancient city located on the Hutuo River in Shijiazhuang, Chen Xingyu and "good brother" Wang Junde stood on the wall of the ancient city. They laughed brightly, and behind them was the ancient city Bright night. Chen Xingyu grew up in the ancient city of Zhengding. When visiting the ancient city of Zhengding, he became Wang Junde's "private guide". He took Wang Junde all the way and talked about the "nine floors, four towers, eight temples, and twenty-four gold medal squares" in Zhengding. The more they talked, the more congenial they became. They also agreed to visit more places together in the future. Wang Junde was shocked by the ancient city and hopes to visit China again to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese history and culture Chen Xingyu said. The study tour group in April last year also entered Xiong'an New District. After visiting the Baiyangdian Ecological Project, more than 60 Chinese and American students sat in groups of three or five on the lawn of Yuerong Park in Xiong'an New Area, chatting and playing games. Wang Junde took out a card from his bag and greeted Chen Xingyu and his classmates to play Muskatine's card game together. Everyone is very relaxed, and the game has brought Chinese and American students closer together, "said Chen Xingyu. Frequent communication, the flower of friendship blooms brilliantly. "Didi..." With the sound of two horns, the school bus door of Mascatine Middle School slowly opened, and the former mayor of Mascatine, DeWayne Hopkins, dressed in a red vest and white beard, warmly greeted his classmates to get on the bus. After the summit event, students from Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School took the school bus to visit Muskatine Middle School. The arrival of Hopkins made us deeply feel the enthusiasm of Muscatine City and Muscatine High School, and our hearts are very warm, "said Shao Ming. When they got off the car and parted ways, Zhang Xiwen, a student from Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, took out a giant panda style keychain from his bag and gave it to Hopkins. The giant panda is a national treasure of China, and I hope this keychain can convey friendship, "said Zhang Xiwen. When students from Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School visited Mascatine High School, on the other side of the world, Wang Lanyu, a graduate of Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, picked up his phone and prepared to have a video call with Jela, a graduate of Mascatine High School. Wang Lanyu and Jela met during a study tour in April last year, and they were "one-on-one" study companions. During the six days together, they visited Tiananmen Square, the Palace Museum, etc., and also experienced Taijiquan, calligraphy, Paper Cuttings, etc. in Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, leaving many good memories. Jela is enthusiastic and outgoing, and we got along very well during the study tour. After Gerard left China, we still occasionally share our lives with each other Wang Lanyu said that Jela continued to study Chinese in university. During holidays, we will leave messages to each other to send our blessings, and sometimes we will discuss difficult learning problems Wang Lanyu said that although they are from different countries, their hearts are very close. From March 16th to 22nd, another group of students from Mascatine High School will participate in the "Friendship Inheritance" study tour in China to continue writing stories of Sino US friendship with students from Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School. The future of China US relations lies in the youth. Through various exchange activities, students from China and the United States make friends and learn from each other, believing that the seeds of friendship and cooperation will surely take root and sprout in their hearts Pei Hongxia said that the flower of friendship between Chinese and American youth will surely bloom even more brilliantly. (New Society)