On the evenings of June 30 and July 1, a special nighttime study tour was held along the picturesque Minjiang River in Fuzhou, Fujian province. This unique cultural journey was a major highlight of the Bond with Kuliang: 2026 China-U.S. Youth Baseball Exhibition Games and Sports Festival.

Young Chinese and American baseball teams boarded premium, new-energy electric vessels in batches to cruise the river — fully immersing themselves in the intangible cultural heritage of Fuzhou's traditional maritime culture while enjoying the city's vibrant, neon-lit urban nightscape.

Throughout the scenic cruise, bilingual guides accompanied the participants, sharing stories of the region's millennia-old seafaring history and the profound role of the Minjiang River in shaping the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

As a gentle evening breeze swept across the glowing water, the young athletes relaxed, leaving behind the competitive intensity of the baseball diamond. Standing by the railings, they enthusiastically chatted, exchanged cultural stories, shared funny sports anecdotes and captured memorable photos together against the glittering city skyline.

Steeped in local "Fu" (blessing) culture, these traditional-style yet modern electric boats embody the city's welcoming spirit and its long legacy of international exchanges. The cruise trip successfully blended natural river landscapes with heritage education and youth interactions — creating a dynamic and relaxed platform for cross-cultural communications.

Using the historic river and its maritime culture as a timeless bridge, the event helped deeply enrich the essence of youthful diplomacy — penning a new chapter of mutual understanding and infusing fresh vitality into the enduring friendship between the two nations.