A U.S. youth delegation's cultural exchange trip to China, centered around pickleball and supported by President Xi's "50,000 in Five Years" initiative, fostered deep cross-cultural friendships and highlighted the unifying power of sports in strengthening China-U.S. relations.

WASHINGTON/BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) -- "We are extremely honored to receive a response from President Xi," said Jeffrey Sullivan, head of the U.S. youth pickleball cultural exchange delegation from Montgomery County, Maryland.

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently replied to the delegation's letter, congratulating them on their successful visit to China. In April, Sullivan led a group of 44 teachers and students from 13 U.S. schools to China under Xi's "50,000 in Five Years" initiative, which aims to bring 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year span.

After visiting Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing, the delegation sent a letter to Xi, expressing their gratitude for the initiative, noting they had forged unforgettable friendships with Chinese youths during the trip.

In his reply, Xi said he was pleased to see that pickleball has become a new bond for you