A sharing event with the theme "Kuliang Chat on Friendship Goes On and On" was held at the Haixia Youth Center on June 26, during the ongoing "Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival" held in Fuzhou, Fujian province.

At the event, Chinese and American youth gathered to share personal stories and explore the enduring relationship between China and the U.S.

A sharing event with the theme "Kuliang Chat on Friendship Goes On and On" is held at the Haixia Youth Center in Fuzhou, Fujian on June 26. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

"Young people must realize that you are the future of the country. I am 81 years old, and Mr. Cho Tak Wong is 77, yet we are still active in our careers," said Tang Wensheng, advisor and former vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.

Tang Wensheng, advisor and former vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, shares her experience at the event. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Her appreciation for Sino-U.S. friendship began in her childhood. Born in New York and raised in Greenwich village, she recounted how, as the only child in the residence, American adults living with her and her mother taught her to read stories and comforted her when she was scolded by her mother.

"I felt we were like family; they treated me as their child. It was a very warm and nurturing environment," said Tang.

Tang hopes that young people in both countries will understand each other and eliminate biases and misunderstandings. "We have many similarities. Both of us yearn for a better future. I hope you can be a part in building that future, bringing peace and cooperation to future generations," she said.

Cho Tak Wong, founder and chairman of Fuyao Group, also shared his personal experience.

The automobile glass plant of Fuyao Glass America was registered and established in March 2014 in the U.S. It currently operates four factories in the country, having commenced production at the end of 2016 and experiencing financial losses the following year. 

Cho Tak Wong, founder and chairman of Fuyao Group, shares his experience at the session. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

During Cho's visit to the U.S., he found that language barriers had resulted in misunderstandings and divisions between Chinese and American employees. Having identified the crux, the company then took measures to enhance their mutual communication and trust, successfully resolving the issue.

Through joint efforts of both Chinese and American employees, the company turned losses into profits, with performance improving steadily.

"I believe that China and the U.S. should strengthen communication and dispel misunderstandings," Cho said, emphasizing the interdependence and strong economic complementarity between the two countries. He stressed the importance of identifying and resolving problems through communication.

Carla Canales, an opera singer, senior advisor and envoy for cultural exchange at the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and visiting lecturer at Harvard University, also recognizes the significance of communication and exchange.

As an opera singer, Canales believes in the universal language of music, which allows people to experience love and pain. Through music, arts and humanities, people have the opportunity to understand each other's differences and stick together.

"This is the power of cultural diplomacy," Canales said. She used singing as a metaphor to encourage young people from China and the U.S. to engage in this great cause.

"The first step is to find your voice, to know who you are and where your passion lies; the second step is to use your voice, to use your passion to drive progress; the third step is to amplify your voice, just like us as opera singers sing loudly, to spread your voice farther and wider, and to promote changes in the world; and finally, it is about listening and building mutual trust," she said.

Roberta Lipson, vice-chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and founder of United Family Healthcare, distributed brochures printed with the company's internship programs to young participants during the activity.

"We warmly welcome you to come to Beijing for internships and to make friends," said Lipson to the youth.

Lipson, who is from New York, came to China after the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations in 1979.

"We should strive to go further and try to learn different languages. Whether by reading extensively or traveling widely, we can learn different cultures. This is an important foundation for building relationships," Lipson added.