South China's Hainan has been buzzing with international youth exchanges this summer, leveraging the province's rich culture and technological strengths to create cross-civilizational dialogue.
From cultural activities and sports competitions to medical training and sci-tech exploration, young people from the United States, France, Italy and other countries have engaged with local communities and industries in the island province.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Soccer Team played a friendly match against the Haikou International Talents Football Team in Haikou City, the provincial capital, in one of a growing number of examples of youth exchanges taking place across Hainan this summer.
In early July, a youth delegation from Washington embarked on an in-depth tour of the Hainan. During their stay, they immersed themselves in Li and Miao ethnic cultures firsthand, which included playing a bamboo pole-jumping game and learning batik, a wax-based dying technique.
"This folk experience is amazing. I love this game so much. It was actually super fun and getting to play the wax, like paint with the wax. It was very difficult, but it was super fun to do," said Charlotte Renne Keeter, an American student.
In mid-July, 30 medical students from four French universities began a two-week clinical training program at the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, China's sole "medical special zone."
Combining clinical teaching, hands-on practice and themed lectures, the program offered the students a firsthand glimpse at how Chinese hospitals operate and deliver care.
"China is leading the way in many areas, and Boao Lecheng, as a new medical pilot zone, really shows where the future is heading. I want to take what I learn here back to France," said Victor Trigon, a French medical student.
In late July, the 2026 China-U.S. Sister Cities Youth Exchange between Hainan and Hawaii kicked off at Hainan Overseas Chinese Middle School.
"Yesterday we explored a museum and we got to look into the technology and how China traveled all the way across space from Earth and make it across the galaxy, and explored the moon. I think it was very insightful. I hope I can gain a lot of friendships and cultural experience," said Max Renguul, a student from Campbell School in Hawaii.
Also this summer, the U.S. Flying Tigers Friendship Association, which honors the legacy of the U.S. pilots who flew alongside the Chinese against Japanese aggression during WWII, brought nearly 40 university student representatives to visit the province.
Hainan hosts plentiful int'l youth exchanges during summer season
