When a group of American college students visiting the city of Changchun, Jilin province put on a quiz show, on May 22, they asked, "What establishes the independence of the United States?" and one pupil from a Changchun primary school, Li Daisong, confidently answered, "The signing of the Declaration of Independence in July 4, 1776," winning great applause from the audience.

The Americans said that they gave the quiz in hopes of helping the pupils learn a bit about world history, geography and culture, and, according to one of them, "It's a bit hard, 'cause they need to answer questions in English. But we can give them a hand if needed, that's no problem."

Li and 70 fellow students taking part expressed their interest in participating in the activity, and their eagerness to study English and foreign culture.

In commenting on the quiz show, Qiu Zhaomin, Jilin information office official, said, "Because it was done by both Chinese and American students, it helps contribute to people-to-people exchanges between our two countries."

These "examiners" are from St. Cloud State University, in Minnesota, US, which has a Confucius Institute, and have paid a 6-day visit to Jilin province seeing local scenic spots, factories and museums.