During the Chinese New Year, a cross-Pacific friendship captured hearts across the internet. On February 24, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) featuring an American pickleball delegation's visit to Shenzhen. The video tells the story of 45 American teachers and students who used pickleball as a bridge to gain an in-depth look at local communities, campuses, and scenic spots in Nanshan District.
Building on the momentum of the 2026 APEC China Year, the "2026 U.S. Youth Pickleball People-to-People Exchange Delegation to China" arrived in Shenzhen on February 15, kicking off a ten-day exchange program.
Comprising 45 teachers and students from 17 schools within the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) system, the delegation traveled through Shenzhen, Jiangxi's Shangyou, Henan's Hebi, and Beijing. Their itinerary included visits to local schools, youth pickleball matches, and immersive cultural activities centered around the Chinese New Year.
At Overseas Chinese Town High School in Nanshan, young players from China and the U.S. showcased their skills in a series of competitive yet friendly matches. Beyond the games, the program offered participants a hands-on journey into Chinese cultural traditions. The students wandered through vibrant flower markets and observed local folk customs, soaking in the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year. A visit to Qianhai Community brought them closer to local residents, as they crafted paper-cut decorations and wrote Spring Festival couplets together—finding connection through the shared rituals of daily life.
This marks the pickleball delegation's second visit to Shenzhen. From April 10 to 20, 2025, a group of 44 students and teachers from Montgomery County, Maryland, participated in an exchange program in China, leaving behind fond memories in the city.
For 18-year-old Ryan Corkery, a student from the U.S., his connection with China began with a small pickleball. During his first visit last April, he picked up his paddle and forged a lasting friendship with Wang Tianqin, a student from Shenzhen Nanshan Foreign Language School (Group) Wenhua School. After returning home, his growing interest in China led him to start learning Chinese online.
Now back in Shenzhen and reunited with his old friend Wang Tianqin, he shared his thoughts: "Shenzhen is referred to as a 'Miracle City'—and I think APEC's decision to hold their meeting here is a perfect match. It is the ideal place for Americans to learn about (China)."
In his post, Ambassador Xie emphasized the state-to-state relations and the deep people-to-people connections between the two countries, describing the story of pickleball diplomacy as both a heartwarming example of the ties between China and the United States and a source of hope for the future.
Reporter | Zhang Siyu
Photo | Publicity Department of Nanshan District Committee
