Wenzhou-Kean University builds model of China-US educational cooperation

Wenzhou-Kean University, a joint educational initiative forged by China and the United States, continues to stand as an exemplar of how both countries can advance bilateral education cooperation, as the school celebrates its recent 20th anniversary.

Over the past two decades, Wenzhou-Kean has nurtured thousands of students and helped foster meaningful friendships between younger generations.

In 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied by letter to the president of Kean University, encouraging universities in China and the United States to strengthen exchanges and collaboration to contribute to greater friendship between the two peoples. Today, Wenzhou-Kean University has grown into an important window for cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

To mark the joint university's 20th anniversary, the campus opened with an immersive Yueju Opera special performance. Over 200 Chinese and international teachers and students gathered to enjoy the graceful performance.

"Chinese culture was an amazing thing to learn about, and I think a lot of people would actually enjoy watching this and learn a lot from it," said Zinnyah Nutornti, an exchange student attending Wenzhou-Kean University.

"I love Chinese culture. It's so extensive and it's just so many layers to it. Every part of it is just gorgeous. It's beautiful. We will definitely go back and share more Chinese culture," said Amori Cross-Faulks, another exchange student at the school.

On May 8, 2006, Wenzhou University in east China's Zhejiang and Kean University in the U.S. state of New Jersey signed an agreement in the United States to jointly establish Wenzhou-Kean University. As a flagship project of bilateral educational cooperation, the university has to date welcomed more than 700 young visitors from 17 U.S. states to Wenzhou to experience China's development and cultural allure.

For two American twin sisters, this is their second time participating in the exchange program.

"We visited all these historical sites, like Beijing, and I realized how deep the culture in China is, also, very historically. It goes back so many years," said Amira Caballero, one of the sisters.

Classmates echoed that enthusiasm, with many saying they have built lasting connections with the local community.

"The food is amazing, but I think the most interesting thing about China is the people," said another exchange student, Jason Tyler Morgan.

Pan Jianzhong, Party Secretary of Wenzhou-Kean University, emphasized that the school serves to connect the two countries in diverse ways.

"Thanks to the major initiative of '50,000 in Five Years' proposed by the General Secretary, in just over two years we have attracted 501 exchange students to come to Zhejiang and to Wenzhou. In practice, this is proof that our China-US exchanges are deepening continuously. Wenzhou-Kean University is not only a university, it is a bridge. One end connects China, the other connects the United States; it connects knowledge and understanding, connects the past and leads to the future. In short, Wenzhou-Kean University is a bridge of friendship, a bridge of communication, a bridge toward the future, and a bridge of hope," Pan said.

With this bridge, young people from China and the United States draw closer, learn from one another, and plant seeds of friendship that transcend borders.

"I have always hoped for peaceful and friendly exchanges. I hope that no matter what the situation is, the people of both countries will always be friendly, and always approach each other across the ocean with gratitude and openness," said Su Yuwen, a local student at the university.

"No matter how international relations may change, I believe these two countries will definitely continue moving forward together and progress hand in hand. I think this is certainly the trend of the times," said Jiang Letian, another local student.

"I think it's also very important to keep in mind that communication is key. Regardless of we come from different backgrounds and different cultures, communication is still the same even though we would have to adapt, obviously, to the styles of communication. But it's very important that we communicate because then we break stereotypes, we break assumptions, we break those unreal expectations that we have, and then we learn like the real side of all the countries and the real side of the people," said Ashly Caballero, Amira's sister.

Wenzhou-Kean University builds model of China-US educational cooperation

As the United States prepares to review the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) amid renewed tariff pressures and rising political tensions with its North American neighbors, a Washington-based apparel entrepreneur says small businesses are being squeezed by higher costs across the regional supply chain, urging policymakers to consider the impact of trade decisions on firms that form the backbone of the U.S. economy.

JC Smith's T-shirts and hats couldn't be more Washington D.C., celebrating and poking fun at the U.S. capital. But his supply chains are anything but local.

"So, yes, right now we get them from U.S. companies, but they say they are U.S. made, assembled in the Central American countries, Nicaragua, Honduras, things like that. But they are technically U.S.-made companies," said Smith, founder of DC-based Bailiwick Clothing Company.

What Smith is describing is the North American supply chain.

His merchandise comes across the U.S. border with Mexico, the United States' biggest trading partner to the south.

This year, the trade agreement, once known as NAFTA - renamed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2020, is up for renegotiation.

The review comes at a fraught time. The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on Mexico and its neighbor to the north Canada, even suggesting Canada should become part of the U.S.

Behind the geo-political positioning, small businesses have been caught in the crossfire.

"In the past few years with some tariffs, whatnot, yes, prices have been going up, the cost of everything, raw materials and then transportation as well. And so yeah, we have some decisions to make as far as pricing goes and knowing that we are going to have to potentially raise prices," said Smith.

As the U.S. president returned to Washington after his meetings in China, accompanied by some very high-profile business leaders, Smith's message to the administration is to think of the smaller firms, the small businesses that, with a bit of a break, could become bigger and continue to power the economy.

"There are more small businesses out there than big businesses, right? It's the heartbeat of America. So, think about the little guy when they make their decisions and think about the cost of gas, cost of transportation, cost of raw materials that all squeezes us. And yes, they want to help the economy, the best way is to help small businesses," said Smith.

US small business owner warns tariffs, rising costs squeeze supply chain