A delegation of students from California State University Long Beach takes a group photo with doctors at Qingdao West Coast New Area Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital on Tuesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The trip also marked the official launch of the fourth batch of the pen pal exchange project between Qingdao University of Technology, or QUT, and CSULB.

Mia Linda Castillo, a 21-year-old senior majoring in engineering at CSULB, expressed excitement about meeting her Chinese pen pal, Lin Yuxia, a 22-year-old student from QUT, in person.

Castillo and Lin had been communicating through email and WeChat since October, discussing various topics ranging from daily habits to cultural events in both countries. She emphasized her openness to firsthand experiences and eagerness to learn about China's art, food, and diverse cultures.

Lin echoed Castillo's views, saying that the younger generation represents hope and the future for both countries. She called for inclusiveness, mutual respect, and increased exchanges between young people from China and the US to build bridges for the future.