Twenty high school students from Muscatine, Iowa — all studying Chinese — embarked on a cultural diplomacy journey this week, visiting the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. to strengthen people-to-people ties between the U.S. and China.
Minister Jing Quan engaged directly with the group, emphasizing linguistic bridges as key to mutual understanding. \"Mastering Chinese language skills prepares you to become future ambassadors of friendship,\" he told attendees during interactive sessions featuring authentic tea ceremonies and calligraphy demonstrations.
The visit was coordinated by Sarah Landy, a longtime advocate for Iowa-China cultural exchanges. Young diplomats shared insights about modern China's tech-savvy youth culture while discussing AI language tools shaping global communication.
Students showcased their Mandarin progress through impromptu poetry recitals, receiving guidance on mastering tones from embassy staff. Many expressed interest in applying for China's growing array of youth exchange scholarships.
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Iowa students who study Chinese visited the Chinese embassy in D.C.
cgtn.com
