ADELAIDE, Australia, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) — As spring unfolds in the Southern Hemisphere, a message of friendship has crossed the ocean. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently replied to 110 young Australian students who had written to him, encouraging them to remain committed to promoting the China-Australia friendship.
In his letter dated Oct. 28, Xi said he was pleased to learn that the students recently visited China to take part in the Sino-Australian Collegiate Rowing and Dragon Boat Friendship Challenge, where they competed alongside Chinese university students, engaged in in-depth exchanges, forged friendships that transcended borders, and created wonderful memories together.
For many of the young Australians, the visit was more than a sporting and cultural exchange. It offered an opportunity to see China firsthand, connect with their Chinese peers and gain a deeper appreciation of the country.
Xi’s reply has given their experience added significance, resonating with both the students and education professionals who helped make the exchange possible.
In July 2025, Xi met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing. Stressing the importance of cultivating people-to-people ties, Xi said Australians from all walks of life are welcome to visit the country and China stands ready to invite more Australian youth for exchange programs.
The invitation was taken up in September, when more than 100 students and staff members from six leading Australian universities, including the University of Sydney, Adelaide University and the University of New South Wales, visited China.
In China’s eastern city of Nanjing, the young Australians joined students from Chinese universities, including Nanjing University and Tongji University, for the rowing and dragon boat event. Beyond the competition, the event also offered participants a chance to appreciate China’s traditional dragon boat culture.
The connections made during the trip did not end when the students returned home.
After their trip to China, the students jointly wrote a letter to Xi and Albanese, sharing their experiences during their visit, expressing admiration for China’s long-lasting history and rich culture, as well as its scientific and technological innovation capabilities. They also voiced their eagerness to help carry forward the bilateral friendship and foster greater mutual understanding.
On Friday, Xi’s reply was presented to representatives of the young Australians in Adelaide, South Australia’s capital.
For Daniel Wiersema, a student representative from Adelaide University, receiving the letter was a particularly moving moment. Recalling the visit to China, he expressed gratitude to Xi for the opportunity and the experience.
“We want to thank him, and hope that our countries can become really, really good friends in the future,” he said.
Jason Slater, head of Sport Development at Adelaide University Sport and Fitness, said he had spoken with students from all the participating Australian universities and found that they indeed enjoyed the trip.
The letter to the two leaders brought together the students’ individual experiences and reflections, conveying personal stories and a strong sense of friendship, he said.
Xi’s reply was “very important encouragement,” Slater said. Many participants now hoped to return to China for further studies and explore opportunities to build connections with the country in their future careers, he said.
Elise Courtney, a student at the University of New South Wales, recalled her excitement at receiving Xi’s reply. “We know how busy it must be for him to take the time to reply to us. It was really special,” she said.
She also showed Xinhua a team jersey she had swapped with a Chinese teammate, describing it as a treasured keepsake of the trip.
In their letter, the students recalled seeing China’s dynamic, modern cities while also experiencing its rich history and cultural heritage. The contrast and combination left a strong impression on them.
Beyond the individual memories, the exchange also brought home a broader message about the role of young people in shaping bilateral relations.
China and Australia share a longstanding tradition of friendly exchanges, Xi noted in the letter, adding that the future of bilateral relations lies with the younger generation.
He voiced hope that the Australian students can continue to actively contribute to the cause of friendship between the two countries, serve as torchbearers of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, and carry forward this friendship from generation to generation.
For Anja Felderhof, a student from Adelaide University, that message struck a particular chord. “That was my take-away sentence,” she said.
“All of my friends in Australia can say we’re pretty excited to continue this friendship as well,” she added.
The importance of such exchanges extends beyond the students themselves, offering universities an opportunity to build lasting institutional links.
Rongyu Li, deputy vice-chancellor and vice-president (global engagement) of the University of Queensland, told Xinhua that face-to-face exchanges among young people from the two countries can deepen mutual understanding and foster friendship.
He said Xi’s reply would encourage more Australian universities to actively participate in exchanges and further strengthen cooperation with China.■
المصدر: english.news.cn
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