The Chinese Embassy in the United States hosted a vibrant China-US Youth Spring Festival Gala on February 2, 2026, uniting over 500 young participants to mark the Lunar New Year. The event highlighted cross-cultural engagement through hands-on activities and personal storytelling, reflecting growing people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Attendees explored traditional Chinese crafts such as Suzhou embroidery and sugar painting, collaborated on making glutinous rice balls (Tang Yuan), and experienced Hanfu dress-up sessions. Utah high school student Annabelle Baker shared her 2025 family trip to the Chinese mainland, recalling her high-speed rail journey from Beijing to Zhengzhou. "What impressed me most were the people – their kindness and patience with my Chinese made every interaction memorable," Baker said during a panel discussion with other exchange participants.
The gala featured joint performances by American and Chinese students, blending traditional lion dances with contemporary musical arrangements. Embassy officials emphasized the importance of youth dialogue in building mutual understanding, particularly following recent academic exchange programs revived earlier this year.
