"2014 US-China Youth International Culture Festival "and the Sino-US Friendship Trip
From July to August 2014, students from Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Shandong, and Xinjiang were given opportunities to access and interact with the American government, media, culture, finance, education, and other mainstream institutions in New York, Boston, and Washington, DC. This "friendship" tour was hosted by the Sino-American Culture and Arts Foundation (SACAF), who also brought together the "2014 US-China Youth International Culture Festival" and the celebrations of the 35th anniversary of US-China diplomatic relations. The Chinese students further participated in events such as "China Night" and Major League Baseball (MLB)'s Metrodome's "An Evening of Chinese Culture" dance celebration, as well as "The US-China Youth International Culture Festival."
During the two weeks' duration of the trip, the young students worked in institutions such as the United Nations, the U.S. State Department's foreign media centre, NBC television, the New York Times, the North American branch of the Xinhua News Agency, US China Press, New York Life, Morgan Stanley, and TD Bank. They also had opportunities to meet members of the United States Congress, the Manhattan Borough President, a United States senator, a distinguished American economist, and more. The students were also involved in United Nations conferences and discussed global trends in the US Youth Chamber headquarters, as well as visiting renown high schools in New York to host concerts with American Students. Their individual efforts contribute to further harmony in the future of US-China relations.
At the New York Times, staff reporters shared with students the history of the newspaper and the production process, from reporting and proofreading to typesetting and distributing.
The students visited the US State Department's foreign media centre in order to understand when emergencies occur.
At a visit to China Press headquarters in New York, America's largest Chinese language newspaper, students listened as Deputy Editor Lu Zhong Wei explained the history and media operations of the paper, and received special "Little Reporter" certificates.
Students pay a visit to the North American branch of Xinhua News Agency and meet with the president.
At NBC television, students toured the NBC Sunday Show studio, and met with program producers to learn the lighting and equipment requirements of producing television programs.
Students toured the United Nations Headquarters and learned about the responsibilities of each body of the United Nations. These future leaders participated in an annual event held at the United Nations headquarters, listening to diverse global perspectives on global economy, politics, culture, and more.
Fortune 500 and New York Life executives at the organization’s New York explain the field of modern finance and insurance to the students.
"American Economist" magazine editor-in-chief Michael Katzenberg and former World Bank senior advisor and Sino-American Friendship Association co-chairman Neil Epstein spoke about economic trends at Columbia University.
Students visited the headquarters of a Fortune 500 company, the investment bank Morgan Stanley. They were met by the bank's vice president.
Students pose questions to American congresswoman Grace Meng to understand the American political system and model of government.
Listening lifelong professor of politics at New York University, the famous US relations expert Mr. Xiong Jie talks, after the event, the students posed for pictures with Professor Bear
Students met former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Clinton Foundation, and learned from project leaders how the Foundation's global projects operate.
. US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (Chinese name: Lu Tian Na) met the students in her New York office, and project leader Mike explained to the students the leadership structure of the American political system, from local division of power to the separation of power among the branches of American federal government.
The students paid a visit to the Manhattan Borough President's Office, where the Manhattan Borough President Ms. Brewer, together with her staff, introduced the functions and responsibilities of each office within Manhattan. The students also had the opportunity to present their works of calligraphy to Ms. Brewer.
Students participated in the sixth of the "China Night" series of events, where the audience and volunteers received exquisite Chinese tourist souvenirs.
On August 3, the grand celebrations of "An Evening of Chinese Culture" and the "2014 US-China Youth International Culture Festival" were held in the famous Town Hall on Broadway in New York. A student performed Mozart's Turkish March and received the audience's warm applause.
The students perform excerpts from the musical "Newsies."
From August 4 -8, students attended a professional basketball training camp in New York. The students participated in the training camp, competing in games within same age groups and earning praise from their coach. NBA star JR Smith made an appearance and spoke with the students.
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