People-to-people connections are the bedrock of stable China-U.S. relations. This was the powerful reminder offered by the Across the Pacific: China-U.S. Youth Dialogue for a Shared Future program, which concluded in Shanghai in late July. Over two weeks, 25 young scholars traveled across Beijing, Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, Suzhou in Jiangsu Province and Shanghai, diving into discussions on diplomacy, culture, trade and global governance. Their exchanges didn't just share ideas—they wove a hopeful narrative for bilateral ties, proving that friendship grows strongest when rooted in individual connections.

This truth has echoed throughout history. In April 1971, nine American table tennis players took a historic trip to China, becoming the first U.S. delegation to visit the People's Republic of China in decades. Their trip was the beginning of what became known as Ping-Pong Diplomacy and helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of official diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. eight years later. Ping-Pong Diplomacy famously turned table tennis matches into a bridge for normalization of relations, showing that even small interactions can dissolve divides.

Today, amid global uncertainties, people-to-people exchanges matter greatly. They rise above political ups and downs, breaking down stereotypes by letting people see one another as individuals. Events like this dialogue let American participants experience China's cultural vibrancy firsthand, while Chinese youth gain nuanced insights into U.S. society—forging bonds that transcend national borders.

Beyond cultural understanding, these exchanges drive progress. U.S. strengths in environmental protection and philanthropy, shared through grassroots channels, have inspired similar efforts in China. In turn, China's traditions of family harmony offer meaningful perspectives to American communities. When people connect emotionally, they build public support for friendship and understanding, creating a stable foundation for bilateral relations that politics alone cannot achieve.

The Across the Pacific event wasn't just a meeting—it was part of ongoing efforts to build enduring people-to-people bonds. To secure a prosperous future, China and the U.S. must keep investing in these bridges. After all, friendship isn't built by governments alone. It's built by the countless individuals who choose to listen, learn and connect across borders.