China-US Youth Pickleball Diplomacy: Young people from China and the United States gathered in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Sunday for the China-US Friendly Youth Pickleball Competition. The event aimed to build friendships and strengthen relations between the two countries through sports and cultural exchange.
Messages from Leaders
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng spoke at the opening ceremony. He stressed the role of youth in shaping the future of China-US relations.
“Throughout history, it is the kindness of our people and the courage of our youths that have kept moving China-US relations forward,” Xie Feng said.
He reminded the audience that young Americans once fought alongside Chinese forces in World War II, and youth athletes helped open ties during the ping-pong diplomacy of the 1970s.
“We need to give full support for every engagement between our youths, so that they can get a firsthand perspective through mutual visits, build trust through dialogue, enhance friendship in cooperation, and inject more hope and vitality into the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations,” Xie Feng said.
Exchange Programs
The competition followed cultural exchanges earlier this year between Montgomery County Public Schools and Chinese students. In April, 30 student-athletes from Montgomery County visited Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen on a 12-day pickleball and cultural tour.
They played games and joined activities like dumpling-making, walking along the Bund, climbing the Great Wall, and learning about new technology.
In return, 53 students and teachers from Shenzhen traveled to Montgomery County to join Sunday’s pickleball event.
Xie Feng described the gathering as “a gathering of old buddies and a chance to meet new friends.” He added, “Let’s encourage more exchanges with such youthful vigor. The bond between our two countries has deepened with every interaction you have, and the path of China-US friendship has widened with every step you take.”
Support from Leaders in Education
Xie Feng also noted that in July, Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote to the US youth delegation, urging them to be “a new generation of ambassadors for friendship between our two countries.”
Jeffrey Sullivan, Montgomery County Public Schools Systemwide Athletics Director, called the program “pickleball diplomacy.”
“Relations between countries start with one relationship at a time, one interaction at a time. And that’s exactly what our student ambassadors did, the entire time in China and since then. And so, pickleball diplomacy just became a thing,” Jeffrey Sullivan said.
Student Experiences
Many students described the trip as life-changing.
“We went to China — most crazy, life-changing experience in my life. Met so many cool people, had so many cool experiences and, yeah, thank you, pickleball,” said Montgomery County student Ryan Corkery.
“The pickleball helped us build these lasting friendships … we still talk to the Chinese kids today on various social medias,” Ryan Corkery said.
Another student, Trinh Au, shared, “We just hung out the whole day for the whole city. It was really fun to be able to meet with them, connect with them on a further level, farther than pickleball.”
Lasting Impact
The event highlighted the growing role of youth in connecting nations. By sharing sports and culture, students built trust and friendships that may influence China-US relations for years to come.
News in Brief: China-US Youth Pickleball Diplomacy
The China-US Friendly Youth Pickleball Competition in Montgomery County brought together students from both nations to build friendships through sport. Ambassador Xie Feng and education leaders praised the effort. Students like Ryan Corkery and Trinh Au described the exchanges as life-changing, with connections that continue beyond the court.
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