Across the vast Pacific Ocean, tourism builds a "bridge" to allow the people of the two countries to move around more, interact more, and communicate more. Since 2007, the China-US High-Level Tourism Dialogue Mechanism jointly initiated and established by China and the United States has built an important communication platform for the two countries, and has played an important role in enriching the connotation of China-US cooperation, promoting exchanges and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, and driving economic growth in the two countries.

In an era of turmoil, China-US relations are still at a critical crossroads. How to stick to the main axis of peaceful development? President Xi Jinping emphasized "building more bridges of mutual understanding and affection between the people of the two countries". China and the United States are both major tourism countries with important international influence. Building bridges of mutual understanding and affection through tourism will not only benefit the people of the two countries, but also provide important support for the sustainable development of the global tourism industry and inject new impetus into the development of the world economy.

President Xi often said that friendship between peoples is the key to success in state-to-state relations. As an important vehicle for showcasing national image and promoting mutual learning between civilizations, tourism is an effective way for the two peoples to deepen understanding and enhance friendship, and plays a vital role in promoting the healthy development of China-US relations.

Looking back, China and the United States have continued to deepen pragmatic tourism cooperation, with many highlights: in terms of cooperation and exchange mechanisms, the two sides have jointly established the China-US Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade Tourism Working Group, the China-US Provincial and State (31+50) Tourism Directors Cooperation Development Dialogue Meeting, and the China-US Tourism High-level Dialogue; in terms of cultural exchange activities, the two sides have held "China-US Tourism Years", signed tourism partner city memoranda, and formed tourism partner cities...

At present, further resuming and developing China-US tourism cooperation will facilitate the two peoples to understand each other at close range, and is also a vital step in promoting the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US bilateral relations.

In early May, the Chinese Embassy in the United States participated in the "Embassy Open Day Around the World" event in Washington, DC, and held an open day and Fujian Province promotion event with the theme of "Fresh Fujian, the Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road". The embassy was crowded with people all day long, and American people, either with their families or with friends, wandered around, savoring the "Fresh Fujian" and feeling the beauty of China. Many American people said that they would like to travel to China, see giant pandas, and experience the charm of Chinese culture in person if they have the chance.

"Promote personnel exchanges through tourism cooperation and continue China-US friendship through cultural exchanges." President Xi's expectations in his letter this time have opened a window for the Chinese and American people to better understand each other today, and also built a bridge for mutual understanding between the people.

Since the Chinese citizens' group travel to the United States was officially launched in 2008, China and the United States have become important tourist destinations and source countries for each other. The huge tourism market is an important part of the economic exchanges between China and the United States.

In the United States, many large Chinese online travel companies are actively developing tourism markets, and Chinese companies are actively carrying out strategic investment and cooperation in the fields of American hotels. In China, several joint venture theme park projects such as Disneyland and Universal Studios have been put into operation, and many internationally renowned American hotel brands have settled in the Chinese market. Many American cruise ships have chosen Chinese cities as their visiting ports...

Looking back, from tourism market exchange and cooperation to tourism industry upgrading, China and the United States have jointly developed tourism products, built a dynamic and win-win tourism trade relationship, and achieved fruitful cooperation results. At present, with the joint efforts of China and the United States, the number of direct passenger flights between the two countries has increased to 100 flights per week since March, better meeting the needs of personnel exchanges.

The Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce said that if the number of Chinese tourists to the United States can be restored to the level of 2019, it will support more than 50,000 jobs. Some American experts believe that building a bridge of friendship between the people of the two countries through tourism and other means will not only play an important role in the stable and healthy development of Sino-U.S. relations, but also help build a better world.

Holding this China-U.S. High-Level Tourism Dialogue is an initiative to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their meeting in San Francisco. President Xi Jinping's letter fully demonstrates his high regard for China-U.S. relations, and will surely effectively promote the recovery and development of China-U.S. tourism cooperation and take it to a new level.

"We warmly welcome American tourists to travel to China, make Chinese friends, experience Chinese culture, visit beautiful landscapes, and experience the real China firsthand." President Xi has cordially invited American people to travel to China for exchanges on many international occasions.

In November 2023, President Xi Jinping announced during his visit to the United States that China is willing to invite 50,000 American young people to come to China for exchanges and studies in the next five years. In January this year, the "American Youth Envoy Exchange and Study Program" was launched, and nearly 200 projects have been included in this year's plan. Many American young people come to China for exchanges and studies, wear Hanfu, climb the Great Wall, and visit the Forbidden City with Chinese young people, make friends with Chinese young people, learn from each other, and experience a real, three-dimensional, and comprehensive China in multiple dimensions.

Tourism can eliminate prejudice, enhance understanding, and build mutual trust, which is exactly what is needed to strengthen China-US relations. China and the United States should take more actions to jointly promote cultural exchanges and inject greater momentum into the continued improvement and development of bilateral relations.