Marching band tour promotes exchanges between Chinese, American students

The 2025 China-U.S. Youth Marching Band People-to-People Exchange China Tour recently wrapped up after major performances in Beijing and south China's Shenzhen City, serving as a platform for cultural exchange between students from the two countries.

Nearly 200 young people -- members of marching bands -- from U.S. schools joined their Chinese counterparts to perform in the music event and visit China's historic sites, under an initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During his visit to the U.S. in 2023, Xi announced the initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to visit China for cultural exchange and study over the next five years.

This event, held from Oct 9-18 under the theme "Marching Together to a Wonderful Future", is an example of how the initiative is being implemented.

"I've done a lot of parades in my life, but I've never done one out of my country. I'm really excited for the chance to perform with so many talented young musicians. I made a lot of friends, I made a few in Beijing, from Beijing 57 High School, and here in Shenzhen yesterday. All the people I met here have been extremely kind to me. They gave me gifts and talked to me even if they didn't speak too much English. It's been an amazing experience," said Shaurya Panda from Valley Christian Schools.

"I've been making friends with people I haven't talked to ever before, and I'm really, really proud of that. I'm also super glad I met everyone I did meet. They're just really nice," said Riley Wilson from the same school.

Marching band tour promotes exchanges between Chinese, American students

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"