STORY: China-U.S. youth exchange program sows seeds of friendship
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Aug. 1, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:18
LOCATION: NANJING, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of students taking part in activities
2.SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): PAN TAOYU, Student from Nanjing Foreign Language School in Jiangsu, China
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): PAN TAOYU, Student from Nanjing Foreign Language School in Jiangsu, China
7. SOUNDBITE 6 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
8. SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): PAN TAOYU, Student from Nanjing Foreign Language School in Jiangsu, China
9. SOUNDBITE 8 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.

STORYLINE:

This summer, a group of high school students from the United States visited east China's Jiangsu Province.

It's part of a 10-day youth exchange program between Jiangsu and its sister state of New York.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
"I'm Dimitri Mignano. I go to Regis High School in New York City. I think it's just such a wonderful thing that we can bring everybody together. For a change, we can cook for them. We made meatballs. They looked wonderful, and everybody should try the meatballs."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): PAN TAOYU, Student from Nanjing Foreign Language School in Jiangsu, China
"My name is Pan Taoyu, and I'm from Nanjing Foreign Language School. I'd like to highly recommend this dish made by ourselves, which is called chrysanthemum fish. We first cut the fish into a net-like shape, and then fried it to make it look like a beautiful chrysanthemum. So it's not only visually appealing but also delicious."

Mignano and Pan first met each other online in February through a China-U.S. youth exchange program.

They took part in virtual seminars, discussing topics such as business, culture, and new media.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
"So, originally, the program started earlier in the year around February, and Anthony (Pan) and I got put into the same business group. We had the opportunity to talk to each other over Zoom about business issues and education in China."

This summer, Mignano traveled to China thanks to the exchange program.

He lived in Pan's home, immersing himself in the daily life of a Chinese family.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
"I was so excited because we've been talking for so long, we had been building our friendship. Since coming to China, I mean, it's nothing like I've ever dreamt it would be. It's such a beautiful country. Everybody here is so kind and so wonderful. It changed my impression, but only for the better."

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): PAN TAOYU, Student from Nanjing Foreign Language School in Jiangsu, China
"We both like playing basketball. We tried many local delicacies."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
"We really have common interests in business and finance and financial education. And I think that's what really brought us together. But, over this trip, I've learned so much about Anthony. It's just a wonderful thing to do. You meet so many wonderful, interesting people."

SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): PAN TAOYU, Student from Nanjing Foreign Language School in Jiangsu, China
"We have had face-to-face conversations with American students, enhancing my understanding of various aspects of my peers in the U.S."

SOUNDBITE 8 (English): DIMITRI MIGNANO, Student from Regis High School in New York, U.S.
"I'm already planning my next trip. I'm so excited to continue my relationship with Anthony. Maybe you can come to America and visit me. We can travel back and forth. I think we're making friendships here that we hope will last for a lifetime."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanjing, China.
(XHTV)