Guests in Xunpu floral headwear take a selfie during the festival in Fuzhou on June 26. WANG DONGMING/CHINA NEWS SERVICE

Long-term ties

Forty years ago, the U.S. state of Oregon and Fujian province established a sister state relationship.

"The bilateral relations have continued and developed steadily, even during the most difficult time of the COVID pandemic," Cheryl Myers, deputy secretary of the State of Oregon, said at the opening of the festival.

Myers said Oregonians would like to extend their gratitude for the generous donation in 2020 of 50,000 masks from the Fujian Friendship Association and a local foundation.

She echoed President Xi's views on the China-U.S. friendship, such as its future depending on youth and its vitality coming from exchanges at subnational level.

A delegation of more than two dozen young people representing the Oregon Rhythmic Gymnastics Team attended the festival.

Myers said the team members' participation "demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the long-term relationship between Fujian and Oregon and to our shared optimism for the future."

"We are delighted to invite you to the magnificent state of Oregon to experience the hospitality of its people," she added.

At the festival's summary meeting on June 28, U.S. youth representative Harriet Anne Hales Parkinson from Brigham Young University, and Chinese youth representative Ruan Yangyang from the Curtis Institute of Music, read the Kuliang Proposal in English and Chinese respectively.

"We all believe that the story of Kuliang stands as a testimony to China-U.S. friendship", the proposal stated.

It emphasized that the people of China and the U.S. can overcome their differences and establish deep friendships.

"The youths of both countries are a testament of the development of China-U.S. relations for the past 45 years and they should be the protectors and promoters of healthy and stable China-U.S. relations in the next 45 years," it said.

During the festival, participants and guests inaugurated the Bond with Kuliang — the China-U.S. Youth Friendship Woods.

Together, they planted 186 friendship trees, including golden laurel and red maple, and signed notes that were attached to the trees.

Some of them invented a new term "Koo", which combines "Kuliang" with "cool". One note reads, "KOO tree, may I see you in 5 years again with friends, while enjoying peace, prosperity, safety, and freedom."

"Thank you Kuliang, we wish for wonderful U.S.-China relations forever," wrote Norman Charette from James Madison University.

Stephanie Stone and Luo Yu contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn