Did you know the Empress of China was American? An American ship, to be precise. And who hasn't heard of Sichuan hot pot – but have you heard Sichuan rap music? It's the next hot trend spreading among young Americans. 

An exhibition in Beijing traces centuries of these moments that have defined the friendship between the two peoples, from early trade ties and Chinese railroad workers to wartime support and ping-pong diplomacy.

The stories are proof that friendship between nations starts with real people and real moments. And they're still being written today.