Meet on the Court, Connect Heart to Heart
中美青少年在上犹生态匹克球运动中心合影。
Chinese and American youths pose for a group photo at the Shangyou Ecological Pickleball Sports Center.
2月17日至19日，“2026美国青少年匹克球人文交流中国春节行”活动走进江西上犹，由38名美国青少年及7名教师组成的访华团在此开展了一场体育与文化交融的新春之旅。
From February 17 to 19, the 2026 U.S. Youth Pickleball People-to-People Exchange Spring Festival Tour in China (Shangyou) took place in Shangyou County, Jiangxi Province. A delegation comprising 38 American youths and 7 teachers engaged in a cultural and sports exchange amid the Chinese New Year festive atmosphere.
一名美国青少年向镜头打招呼。
An American youth waves to the camera.
友谊，是贯穿此次活动最温暖的底色。几天时光里，中美青少年在文艺交流晚宴上互赠礼物，以真诚与热忱跨越山海、传递情谊；在匹克球场上挥汗如雨，用默契配合与友好比拼书写“以球会友，以心相交”；在“中美青少年友谊林”植树活动中携手培土、共浇新绿，让友谊的种子与树苗一同扎根生长。一次次拥抱、一个个击掌、一张张合影，无数温暖瞬间让心与心的距离悄然拉近，也让跨越国界的青春在彼此记忆中留下明亮的印记。
Friendship was the warmest thread running through the entire event. Over several days, Chinese and American youths exchanged gifts at a cultural exchange gala, transcending oceans with sincerity and warmth. On the pickleball court, they competed fiercely yet amicably, embodying the spirit of "Meet on the Court, Connect Heart to Heart." At the tree planting activity, they worked side by side—shoveling soil and watering saplings—allowing seeds of friendship to take root alongside the trees. Hugs, high-fives, group photos—each tender moment brought them closer, leaving a bright imprint of cross-cultural youth connection in each other's memories.
中美青少年互赠礼物并合影留念。
Youths from China and the U.S. exchange gifts and pose for a group photo.
中美青少年共同种下象征友谊的树苗。
Chinese and American youths jointly plant a sapling symbolizing friendship.
中美青少年在上犹生态匹克球运动中心参加匹克球友谊赛。
Chinese and American youths take part in the 3rd China-U.S. Youth Pickleball Friendship Tournament at the Shangyou Ecological Pickleball Sports Center.
赛后，中美青少年拥抱致意。
Two young players exchange hugs as a gesture of goodwill after the match.
当友谊在互动中升温，美国青少年也在多维度的体验中加深对中国的了解。他们在卡丁车赛场感受速度与激情，也走进青山环抱的民宿，用镜头记录中国乡村的生态之美。在梅水乡园村村，他们在当地村民指导下体验舞龙技艺，近距离感受客家民俗的独特魅力；在油石乡笔架山的茶垄间，他们腰系茶篓亲手采茶，在缕缕茶香中品味匠心的传承。
As friendship deepened through interaction, the American youths also gained a richer understanding of China from multi-faceted experiences. They felt the thrill of speed at the karting track, and captured the ecological beauty of China's countryside while staying at a homestay nestled in green hills. In Yuan Village, Meishui Township, they tried their hand at dragon dance under the guidance of local villagers, experiencing the unique charm of Hakka culture up close. Among the tea terraces of Bijia Mountain in Youshi Township, they fastened baskets to their waists and hand-picked tea leaves, experiencing the time-honored craft amid the lingering aroma of tea.
美国青少年在上犹阳明国际赛车谷体验卡丁车的竞速乐趣。
American youths enjoy the thrill of kart racing in the Yangming International Racing Valley in Shangyou County, Jiangxi Province.
美国青少年在梅水乡园村村体验舞龙。
American youths try their hand at dragon dance in Yuan Village in Meishui Township, Jiangxi Province.
美国青少年在梅水乡园村村尝试制作折扇。
American youths make traditional folding fans in Yuan Village in Meishui Township, Jiangxi Province.
美国青少年在油石乡笔架山体验采茶。
American youths experience tea-picking at Bijia Mountain in Youshi Township, Jiangxi Province.
美国青少年在油石乡笔架山体验制茶。
American youths take part in a tea-making experience at Bijia Mountain in Youshi Township, Jiangxi Province.
友谊的种子在赣南的春风里悄然播下，一颗小球转动的人文交流故事还在继续。接下来，“2026美国青少年匹克球人文交流中国春节行”活动将走进河南鹤壁、北京，通过校际交流、匹克球赛与文化参访等一系列丰富多彩的行程，推动中美青少年以球会友、以心相交，增进了解，沟通心灵，传承友谊，在体育与文化交融中续写中外青少年友好交往的崭新篇章。
Seeds of friendship have been sown in the spring breeze of Shangyou County, and the story of people-to-people exchange set in motion by a small ball continues to unfold. Next, the 2026 U.S. Youth Pickleball People-to-People Exchange Spring Festival Tour in China will make its way to Hebi City in Henan Province and Beijing. With a series of enriching activities—including school exchanges, pickleball matches, and cultural visits—the tour aims to bring Chinese and American youths together through sport and heartfelt connection. It seeks to enhance mutual understanding, bridge hearts, and carry forward the spirit of friendship, writing a new chapter in youth exchanges between China and the United States through the strong bond of sports and culture.