Grassroots exchanges matter

详细摘要

Grassroots exchanges will not end strategic rivalry. But they can help ensure that rivalry does not define the relationship between two peoples whose futures are deeply…

Two days after he arrived at Duke Kunshan University in Jiangsu province in mid-2022, American student Noah Caplan decided to go to Shanghai for dinner. The 50-kilometer journey took more than four hours because he mistakenly took a slower train instead of a high-speed train. Back then, navigating China's transport system and digital payments was a challenge for foreign visitors. But by the time he graduated in May this year, Caplan could make the same journey in just under an hour. The distance had not changed, but he had.

This minor incident illustrates an important aspect of international exchange: understanding another country is not just about following its politics or reading its history. It often involves everyday experiences: finding your way around a new city, understanding local lifestyles, and making friends along the way.

As China prepares to host the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, the world will be watching Washington and Beijing for signs of cooperation on critical global issues. While much attention will focus on trade, technology, national security and geopolitical competition, the experiences of students like Caplan underscore the importance of grassroots, or people-to-people, exchanges in rebuilding mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

For over four decades, China-US relations benefited from extensive connections beyond official diplomacy. University partnerships, student exchanges, sister-city relationships, business associations, cultural programs and professional networks enabled Americans and Chinese to understand each other through direct experiences rather than political rhetoric. While these relationships have not eliminated disagreements, they have established a foundation of familiarity, trust and practical cooperation.

Building on this foundation requires more opportunities for engagement.

文章开头，摘自China Daily Business。如需阅读全文，请前往媒体网站。