President Xi Jinping has encouraged young Australians to continue promoting the friendship between China and Australia and carry it forward from generation to generation. He made the remarks in a recent reply to a letter from 110 Australian students.
In his letter dated Oct 28, Xi said he was pleased to learn that the students had recently visited China for the Sino-Australian Collegiate Rowing and Dragon Boat Friendship Challenge, where they competed alongside Chinese university students, held in-depth exchanges, forged friendships across borders and created lasting memories together.
China and Australia share a longstanding tradition of friendly exchanges, Xi said, adding that the future of bilateral relations lies with the younger generation.
He expressed hope that the students would continue to promote China-Australia friendship, serve as torchbearers of bilateral friendship and cooperation, and pass the baton of friendship to future generations.
In September, 110 students from the University of Sydney and other Australian universities jointly wrote to Xi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to share their experiences of visiting China.
They expressed their admiration for China's long history, rich culture and capacity for scientific and technological innovation, as well as showed their eagerness to carry forward the bilateral friendship and deepen mutual understanding.
During their visit to China from Sept 8 to 15, the Australian students traveled to Nanjing, Yangzhou, Changzhou and Zhenjiang in Jiangsu province. They participated in exchanges with Chinese students, experienced China's intangible cultural heritage, and visited university robotics institutes and new energy companies.
"Our time in Nanjing has given us the opportunity to experience the energy of a modern Chinese city while learning about her history, traditions and people," the students wrote in the letter. "We have been welcomed warmly and have gained a greater appreciation for the importance of hard work, commitment and teamwork — values that we share through sport."
Chinese Ambassador to Australia Liu Jinsong, who delivered Xi's letter to student representatives on Friday at a ceremony held in Adelaide, Australia, described his reply as "warm and heartfelt, and rich in significance".
Daniel Wiersema, a finance and engineering student at Adelaide University, told China Daily that they wrote the letter because they were deeply moved by the generosity of the Chinese people during their visit, and they felt they needed to express their gratitude to President Xi for such an experience.
Wiersema said the trip granted them the opportunity to participate in a dragon boat race for the first time, and teaming up with Chinese students allowed them to build lifelong friendships and learn more about student life in China.
He noted that youth exchanges were important for strengthening bilateral relations, because "the youth is the future of both of our nations". He added that friendships formed between young people could help foster a lasting relationship between Australia and China.
The visit also offered Anja Felderhof, a rower with the Adelaide University Boat Club, a fresh perspective on China.
Felderhof, who is studying mechanical engineering at the university, told China Daily that despite language barriers, the warmth and kindness of local people left a deep impression on her. The trip "opened my eyes to a country I wouldn't have thought I'd experience", the student said, adding that she would definitely like to visit China again.
Tom Steer, deputy vice-chancellor for student experience and success at Adelaide University, said at Friday's ceremony that the two-way exchange has built "understanding, lasting friendships and connections" between the two nations, and has brought together "learning, culture and the shared experiences of young people".
The September event was part of the China-Australia Program for Youth Exchange, which aims to bring 3,000 to 5,000 young Australians to China for exchanges and study tours for three years, starting from 2025.
