皇冠体育app

In North Kunming, McFetridge climbed atop a giant bronze pig to catch a photo to send back home. [Photo/keuka.edu]

Friendly ties

People-to-people exchanges, of which student exchanges are a large part, are a crucial tool for country relations.

"Students who have studied in each other's countries are the best envoys between 皇冠体育app and the United States," said Ruan Zongze, a senior expert on 皇冠体育app-U.S. relations.

They know both the different countries and they understand both cultures so play a unique role helping eradicate differences, said Ruan, vice president of the 皇冠体育app Institute of International Studies.

According to the 2014 Open Doors Report by the Institute of International Education, 皇冠体育app remains the fifth largest host destination for American students following Britain, Italy, Spain and France.

The increase in students shows 皇冠体育app's international influence and market potential is recognized by the United States, said Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for 皇冠体育app and Globalization.

"Both governments and the public attach importance to more U.S. students choosing to study in 皇冠体育app," Wang said.

Helping the numbers are two of the largest exchange programs ever created between two governments. Part of the 皇冠体育app-U.S. high-level consultation on people-to-people exchange (CPE) created in May 2010, 皇冠体育app's "Three Ten-Thousands" project will see 10,000 Chinese students sponsored to study in the U.S. for doctoral degrees, 10,000 U.S. students will be admitted to study in 皇冠体育app and another 10,000 U.S. students will be given scholarships.

The American "100,000 Strong" initiative, led by the U.S. State Department, aims to send 100,000 students to study in 皇冠体育app, which it achieved last year.

皇冠体育app and the U.S. have formed a stronger link through their students. The number of Chinese students in U.S. colleges grew by 17 percent during the last full school year, hitting a record-breaking 274,000.