Future Makers 2026 connects youth from leading universities through culture, innovation and dialogue during China's APEC host year

BEIJING, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a news report from CCTV.com:

From discussing 2,500 years of Confucian thought to encountering humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles and electric-vehicle manufacturing, 170 young people from China and the United States spent a week exploring China's past, present and future through the Future Makers 2026 China-U.S. Youth Tour for a Shared Asia-Pacific Future.

Their journey concluded at Beijing's Yanqi Lake, where participants planted a "Forest for Tomorrow" as a symbol of friendship and shared aspirations. The site hosted the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting when China last hosted APEC. Twelve years later, during China's 2026 APEC host year, the initiative gave the historic location renewed significance as a symbol of China-U.S. people-to-people friendship.

Co-hosted by the Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sino Group, the programme brought together 100 students from 10 U.S. universities, including American University, Central Michigan University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Kentucky State University, Saint Peter's University, The University of Chicago, University of California, Davis, University of California, Riverside, and University of Washington, alongside 70 young people from Beijing and Shandong.

Rather than following a conventional sightseeing itinerary, the programme combined visits to cultural and innovation landmarks with direct exchanges among young people from both countries.

Exploring China's Heritage and Living Traditions

The tour began in Jinan, where participants attended the Asia-Pacific Civil Society Conference. In Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, students visited Nishan Sacred Land and the Temple and Mansion of Confucius, experienced Chinese calligraphy and discussed the concept of "harmony in diversity" with students from Qufu Normal University, exploring how ideas developed more than two millennia ago continue to influence contemporary society.

The journey continued in Beijing, where the students visited the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Together, it offered a deeper understanding of China's history, culture and philosophy.

Mr Daryl Ng, Director of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Chairman of Sino Group, said the programme had enabled participants to explore China's long history, experience the vitality of its culture and witness its modern development.

He noted that when young people from different backgrounds come together with curiosity and openness, they can build bridges of understanding and trust, form friendships across borders and contribute to a more connected world.

Seeing Innovation in Action

After exploring China's cultural heritage, the participants turned their attention to some of the technologies shaping its future.

At Beijing E-Town Robot World, students observed humanoid robots in action and learned about the development of robotics and artificial intelligence. They also visited the Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Area, where they explored applications of autonomous mobility, and toured the Xiaomi Auto Factory to see electric-vehicle manufacturing and smart production processes firsthand.

For many participants, the experience offered a new perspective on China's technological development and a closer look at innovations shaping future industries and everyday life.

Building Understanding Through Dialogue

While the cultural and technology visits provided the setting for the programme, many of its most meaningful moments emerged through conversations among the participants themselves. Participants engaged in dialogue sessions at Qufu Normal University and Tsinghua University, discussing topics such as cultural identity, technological innovation, sustainability, youth leadership and Asia-Pacific cooperation.

For Henry from the University of Chicago, the cultural sites offered a striking sense of historical scale. "I don't think I have ever been surrounded by so much rich, long history," he said. "It was truly eye-opening." Leif from the University of Washington shared a similar sentiment, saying that he was amazed by China's rich cultural heritage and thousands of years of history, much of which has been carefully preserved and remains accessible today.

Zora from Kentucky State University was drawn to the technology programme. "There is so much advanced technology here," she said. "It is very AI-centered and forward-looking." Grace from Central Michigan University said, "Even though we come from different countries, it has been amazing to see those differences and still build such strong connections."

Their reflections pointed to a broader outcome of the tour: the opportunity to look beyond headlines and develop a more nuanced understanding of one another's societies through direct experience.

Looking Beyond the Programme

Future Makers 2026 was more than a week-long exchange. It brought together young people from different backgrounds to learn from one another, build friendships and explore shared aspirations for the future.

The friendships formed during the programme may continue to develop in classrooms, communities and future careers. Like the trees planted at Yanqi Lake, those relationships will need time and care to grow, but they carry the potential to support greater understanding between people and stronger cooperation across the Asia-Pacific for years to come.