Haikou, Hainan — Despite heavy rain drumming against the windows of the building, the atmosphere inside Hainan Yingya St. Peter’s School on Tuesday morning was warm and serene as local and American students gathered for the opening ceremony of a week-long youth soccer and cultural exchange program.

Participants and organizers of the program pose for a group photo. Photo: HIMC

Organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, the visit brings together a delegation of student athletes from the United States with local schools and football teams across Hainan. Over the coming days, participants will compete in friendly matches while exploring the island's culture, history and natural beauty through visits to museums, tea plantations, tropical rainforests and Li ethnic communities.

Representatives of the two soccer teams exchange gifts on stage. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

The program also reflects Hainan's broader drive toward internationalization as the province accelerates the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). Alongside policies aimed at facilitating trade, investment and talent flows, the FTP places increasing emphasis on people-to-people exchanges, educational cooperation and international cultural engagement. Youth exchange initiatives such as this one are helping position Hainan as a more globally connected destination where future leaders can build friendships and mutual understanding across borders.

The students tour the Hainan Yingya St. Peter’s School Campus. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

Before the ceremony, the American students took part in traditional Chinese cultural activities, including lectures on Chinese traditions, martial arts, Chinese knot making, and mask painting and they were given a tour of the campus. Although soccer provides the framework for the exchange, speakers throughout the ceremony emphasized that the program is ultimately about building lasting friendships. 

Yolanda Yang, Executive Head of Hainan Yingya St. Peter’s School gives a speech. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

Yolanda Yang, Executive Head of Hainan Yingya St. Peter’s School, highlighted the important role that young people play in carrying forward the China-U.S. friendship. She compared the soccer exchange to the historic "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" that helped open relations between China and the United States 55 years ago, expressing hope that sports can once again serve as a bridge between the two countries.

Students practice martial arts. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

The American students attend a lecture on Chinese knots. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School 

Goalkeeper Darwin Lopez Soto practices making Chinese knots. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

James Kan Zhang, President of the Sino-American Business and Travel Association, echoed that sentiment saying, "The future of U.S.-China relations depends not only on dialogue between governments, but also on genuine people-to-people connections." He also added that in 2023, President Xi Jinping announced an initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China over five years for exchanges and study, with programs such as this one helping to turn that vision into reality.

The players greet each other ahead of the match. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

For the players themselves, the trip is about far more than winning matches. "We're excited to see how the game goes," said Rotman Alfredo Santos-Moyano, captain of Journey FC. "But it's not all about the score. It's about what you take from it for future generations."

Coach Cole Goodman delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

Head coach Goodman reflected on his own connection with China. "Just a few months ago, I had the privilege of visiting China for the very first time," he said. "During that visit, I experienced the warmth of local hospitality, the richness of Chinese culture and the generosity of the people." Expressing his views on the importance of connection and unity between the two countries, he added that the delegation hopes to return many times in the future. "I'm sure we'll come back over and over again to China and Hainan. Everyone is so nice, generous and welcoming. This island is beautiful—the trees, the water... everyone was astonished. Everybody is so united in wanting to build friendships and conversations."

Two players chase the ball during the football match. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

For many of the visiting students, Hainan has already left a lasting impression."If I can take one thing home, it's got to be the hospitality and warmth of the Chinese people," said Matthew Samuel, a right winger from Pennsylvania State University. "I'll tell people back home about the beautiful ocean of Hainan and how beautiful the skylines and buildings are."Goalkeeper Darwin Lopez Soto, from Harrisburg Area Community College, is visiting Hainan for the first time. "Everyone in Hainan is really welcoming and friendly," he said with a smile. "This is my second home now." Beyond the soccer field, he especially enjoyed experiencing Chinese culture. "We learned some martial arts, and I really enjoyed it. It's also nice to learn a new language. It's fun to compete, but we're here for more than soccer—we're learning about the other team and exchanging cultures." The enthusiasm was shared by the local players. "It's a great opportunity for us to play with an American team," said Dominic Simeon, captain of one of the local football teams participating in the exchange.

Players engaged in the football match. Photo: Hainan Yingya St. Peter's School

Following the opening ceremony, despite the unrelenting downpour, the American delegation played its first friendly match against the Haikou International Talent Football Team before continuing its journey through Haikou, Qiongzhong and Wuzhishan.

The players took to the field with determination, endurance and a strong sense of sportsmanship, delivering an exciting and spirited match that reflected the values of teamwork, mutual respect and friendly competition. The two sides finished regular time tied 1–1, before Haikou International Talent House secured a 5–4 victory in the penalty shootout. During his speech on stage, coach Goodman delivered a moving message that captured the spirit of the exchange: "What will endure is not who stood on the winning side of the field, but who chose to stand together beyond it."

As the rain continued to fall outside, the ceremony's message remained clear: while goals may decide the outcome of a match, it is friendship, mutual understanding and shared experiences that will leave the most lasting legacy.