Image Story丨American Youth Pickleball Tour to China in Shanghai: Using the ball as a media to build friendship
Recently, the "2025 American Youth Pickleball Cultural Exchange Tour to China" opened in Shanghai. The four-day trip to Huangpu allowed more than 40 teachers and students from Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, to immerse themselves in the Shanghai-style atmosphere of Huangpu, providing a rare exchange opportunity for Chinese and American teenagers and promoting mutual understanding and integration of the two countries' cultures.
During the event, American teachers and students not only participated in the exciting friendly pickleball match, but also experienced the charm of traditional Chinese culture. At the Huangpu District Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center, they personally made Shanghai-style cheongsam buckles and Shanghai lilong kites to experience the exquisite skills of traditional Chinese handicrafts. The classical gardens of Yu Garden and the historical buildings on the Bund also allowed American teachers and students to appreciate Shanghai's unique urban style and profound historical heritage.
In the pickleball friendly match, Chinese and American teenagers used the ball to make friends, learn from each other and make progress together. On the field, American students showed unique playing styles and skills, while Chinese students responded positively with their solid basic skills and flexible adaptability. Both sides went back and forth, the score rose alternately, and the atmosphere was warm and extraordinary. Every wonderful shot won rounds of applause from the audience, and every tacit cooperation showed the power of friendship. After the game, Chinese and American students exchanged skills and experiences with each other, and shared the joy and emotion of the game. Many students also exchanged contact information and agreed to keep in touch and continue communication in the future.
This event was hosted by the Chinese and Foreign Cultural Exchange Center of the Ministry of Education, guided by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the Shanghai Huangpu District People's Government, and organized by the Shanghai Magnolia International Friendly Exchange Foundation and other units. Through sports and cultural exchanges, it has built a bridge of communication between Chinese and American youths and injected new vitality into the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The event not only allowed American teenagers to experience China's development and changes first-hand, but also provided Chinese students with an opportunity to understand American culture and enhanced friendship and trust between the teenagers of the two countries.
