Hawaiian students' Sanya visit forges lasting ties

Hawaiian students check out innovation courses at the Sanya Foreign Language School Affiliated to Shanghai International Studies University. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

A dozen students and teachers from the US island state of Hawaii recently visited the Sanya Foreign Language School Affiliated to Shanghai International Studies University — located in Sanya city in China's southernmost Hainan province.

The trip was the final chapter of the 2026 China-US Youth Exchange (Hainan-Hawaii Sister State) program.

During their two-day stay, the guests from across the Pacific immersed themselves in the eastern rhythms of local life through the music of the traditional guqin — the Chinese seven-stringed zither. They also explored the dynamic atmosphere of the Hainan Free Trade Port at Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City.

Walking through the school's exhibition halls, geography classrooms and art studios, the students were drawn to the different academic programs and vibrant campus culture at the Sanya school.

In a cultural exchange session, the American students shared their experiences of Hainan's food, intangible cultural heritage items and China's technological advancements — sparking lively discussions.

The Chinese students in Sanya also served as guides to show the visitors the high-tech zone in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City.

The mysteries of deep-sea research, the marvels of the Nanfan seed industry and the energy of youth innovation education offered the Hawaiian guests a vivid introduction to the thriving spirit of Hainan FTP.

The presentation session was packed with highlights: Students from both countries showed off their impressive Chinese martial arts skills, and they also engaged in themed discussions on Hainan's cultural heritage, its cuisine, ecology and technology from a youthful perspective.

Though the two-day visit was short, the connections made between the Pacific and the South China Sea were everlasting.

When the warmth of Aloha meets the openness of Hainan, this shared journey of sister city youngsters is bound to create a lively chapter in the continuing cultural exchanges between China and the US.