After wrapping up their research trip in the U.S., three Chinese "Gen-Z" students shared their experiences interacting with American friends. Unlike the anti-China rhetoric of some U.S. politicians, these younger generations have built friendship through dialogue.

Xu Chengcheng: There's been a positive change in the Gen-Z, the younger generations. They are more open to changes and more open to communication. We can always communicate on our shared interests and also the friendly relationships that have been built among us.

Zhang Qinzhi: When I talked to this girl called Miranda, who's an undergraduate in Emory University who is super interested in Chinese movies. We talk about In the Heat of the Sun by Jiang Wen and Red Sorghum by Zhang Yimou. We have so many topics to talk about. I feel like we could be friends if we lived in the same university.

Lin Jiawen: If you don't have the exchanges at the sub-national levels, you will only hear what the media wants you to hear, and the Chinese image is shaped by the politicians. But if you study Chinese culture or you visit China in person one day, you'll find that Chinese people are actually very friendly.