On July 20, the 2026 China-US Youth Exchange (Hainan-Hawaii Sister State) program kicked off at the Hainan Overseas Chinese Middle School, taking twelve students and teachers from Hawaii on a unique cultural journey.

From bamboo pole dancing to creating traditional Chinese paintings on fans, learning to sing the song Jasmine Flower, and making Hainan rice noodles by hand, these American teenagers were given a first-hand look at the unique beauty of Hainan Island and were treated to a warm welcome by the people of Hainan.

Next, the group will continue their journey through Haikou, Danzhou, Wuzhishan, and Sanya, discovering the development vitality and local culture of the Hainan Free Trade Port.