The Youth | A young American's choice: China

In September 2015, during his state visit to the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a special visit to Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington State. Then a member of the school choir, Maurice Chong joined Chinese and American students in performing the Chinese song "On the Field of Hope" and the English song "What a Wonderful World" for Xi and his delegation. "I was standing in the front row. I felt both excited and nervous," Chong recalled.

After graduating from university, Chong began his journey as a tech entrepreneur in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. His company focuses on AI applications in sports. He said Shenzhen offers an excellent environment for sci-tech innovation and is home to many like-minded young people, adding that he sees boundless possibilities and a bright future there.

"I believe U.S.-China exchanges will become broader and deeper," Chong said. "Only when young people become friends can we build a stronger foundation for the future of U.S.-China relations."