On July 17-22, the U.S. Youth Ambassadors in Xiamen program brings 27 students and teachers from Baltimore and Orange County, Los Angeles, to the southeastern coastal Chinese city in Fujian Province for an immersive cultural and friendship exchange. 

On the morning of July 19, American and Chinese youth visited the Wuyuanwan Wetland Park, often referred to as the “green lung” of Xiamen. There, they participated in a “nature classroom” focused on the city’s efforts to harmonize human activity with nature—particularly through its wetland bird conservation initiative. 

Since 2002, Xiamen has undertaken a succession of renovation and development projects in five bay areas, namely, Haicang, Wuyuan, Xinglin, Tongan and Maluan. By dredging seawall openings, restoring mangrove shorelines and revitalizing beaches, it has created a pleasant living environment around the bays. 

“What has impressed me the most is definitely the wildlife here. Learning that there are over 500 different species of animals or different birds here is very impressive,” Janelli Moriah Gonzalez, a student from Bard High School Early College (Baltimore), said. 

As part of the visit, the participating youth also came together to plant “friendship trees” and signed them with their names.  

American and Chinese participants of the U.S. Youth Ambassadors in Xiamen program plant a tree at the Wuyuanwan Wetland Park, Xiamen, Fujian Province, on July 19 (LI WENHAN) 

“I found planting the trees here meaningful because it gives us a chance to explore more of the Chinese community and also gives us a chance to leave our roots here,” Nyiobhe Anxe Reyes, an American student, said. 

Chelsea Nakabayashi, a faculty member at Bard High School Early College (Baltimore), reflected that despite the heat and humidity in Xiamen, where temperatures reached 34 degree Celsius that day, “[the American youths] just got right to work. They really appreciated the opportunity to engage.” 

“I’ve heard the saying that planting a tree is like planting a life,” Nakabayashi added. “I think we share a similar idea with China—one of growth, continuity and hope, even in challenging times.” 

Nakabayashi began learning Chinese in high school and first came to China in the 1980s. She eventually earned a Ph.D. at Beijing Normal University and became a dedicated educator. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized the importance of early connections in shaping future relationships.

“I hope today’s tree planting will inspire our youth to understand that they are responsible for carrying forward the friendship between our two peoples to future generations,” she said. 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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