A Poetic Appointment Between Chinese and American Youth
“Chinese poetry holds 5,000 years of history—it’s truly magical!” At the Baiyangdian Poetry Culture Park in Xiongan New Area, Andrea Martinez Cardenas from West County Mandarin School in San Francisco, USA, shared her thoughts as she held the newly copied verses. “The history in museums and the artistic allure of poetry have given me a vivid new understanding of China.”
On March 31, the 2026 Baoding–San Francisco Chinese Language and Culture Week for Chinese and American Teenagers arrived in Xiongan New Area. Fifty-four teachers and students from West County Mandarin School in San Francisco joined students from Baoding No.17 Middle School, Xiongan Campus of Beijing No.4 High School, and Anxin Baiyangdian Middle School for the poetry gathering themed “Awakening Spring with Poetry”.
On March 31, Chinese and American young people came together for an interactive exchange at the "Awakening Spring with Poetry" event.（CNS）
“I wish to have a small house, facing the vast sea, where spring blossoms and warmth fills the air…” At the event, American students recited Hai Zi’s classic poem earnestly in their still halting Chinese, with Chinese students beside them softly accompanying the recitation.
Isa Crayton, an American student, was utterly captivated by the poetic beauty. Smiling, she said she had fallen in love with the Chinese spring woven into verses. “Through poetry, I can feel the Chinese people’s deep love for spring and the changing seasons—it’s utterly wonderful.”
During this “springtime appointment”, student representatives from the four schools also read excerpts from Lotus Creek, a masterpiece by the writer Sun Li. In that moment, the lyrical verses imbued with the grace of the water town became a bridge connecting their hearts.
On March 31, students from West County Mandarin School in San Francisco, USA, recited Chinese poetry at the Baiyangdian Poetry Cultural Park.（CNS）
“Your hometown is incredibly beautiful,” remarked the American student paired with Zhou Mingshuo from Xiongan Campus of Beijing No.4 High School. The American student also presented him with a creative city sticker of San Francisco, expressing the hope of meeting again in San Francisco someday.
Eric Bernard Peterson, Principal of West County Mandarin School in San Francisco, was immersed in the poetic atmosphere. “Don’t you think this very scene is a poem in itself?” he said. “I believe this experience will remain a cherished memory for the children forever.”
As the recitations faded, student representatives from the four schools jointly issued an Initiative for Chinese and American Teenager Exchanges: Exploring the Mysteries of Chinese Language, Appreciating Eastern Civilization. Shao Bingsen, a student from Baoding No.17 Middle School and one of the initiative’s readers, stated: “Through studying together, exploring side by side, and traveling in person, we will deepen mutual understanding, connect with sincerity, and sow the seeds of mutual respect and appreciation.”
Sun Ning, Secretary of the General Party Branch of Baoding No.17 Middle School, noted that by living, learning, studying and traveling together, Chinese and American teenagers learn Chinese through poetry and forge friendships through interaction, allowing cross-Pacific friendship to take root and thrive.
At the close of the event, Chinese and American teenagers sat together and composed poems on the theme of Spring. On one card, a line of verse was written in both Chinese and English: “In spring, we sow hope—and we sow the future.”(Source: CNS)