On September 24, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced an invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study over the next five years. He made the announcement in remarks at the White House. The published English text of the remarks gives the scale and purpose of the invitation, but it is not an application guide.
What was announced?
The number is an invitation target for the coming five years. It does not mean that 100,000 people have already travelled, that every place is a university degree place, or that a single program has opened for individual applications. The Chinese foreign ministry's account describes the intended visits as exchanges and study. Specific routes may vary when organizers publish them.
This follows an earlier initiative. In November 2023, China announced a five-year invitation for 50,000 young Americans. In May 2026, a Chinese government report said that more than 50,000 had visited, meeting that earlier target ahead of schedule. Those are two separate rounds: the newly announced 100,000 is not the 2023 figure restated.
What would the exchange mean to a participant?
An exchange can be a first encounter with everyday language, classrooms, food, neighborhoods and people, but the experience will depend on the eventual program. A short visit and a longer period of study are different commitments. The announcement alone does not tell a prospective visitor where they would go or how long they would stay.
Someone preparing for a visit can still begin with practical cultural basics: how to greet a classmate or host, how Chinese personal names are usually ordered, and how to ask which name someone prefers. The Open University's introductory Chinese lesson teaches simple introductions with audio. Our guide to Chinese name structure explains why the family name commonly comes before the given name. These are useful whether a visitor chooses a Chinese name for themselves or continues using their existing name.
A personal Chinese name can make introductions feel more personal for someone who wants one. It is a choice, not a requirement of travel or a condition of this announcement. If you are curious about the distinction between translating your existing name and choosing a new name, our naming guide explains both approaches.
Interested in going? Ask these questions first
Treat the announcement as a reason to investigate an exchange, not as an individual admission offer. Start with an institution you can identify: your school’s international office, a partner university or an established exchange organizer. Ask whether it has a specific programme connected with the new invitation.
| Question | What you need before committing |
|---|---|
| Who can take part? | The programme’s own age, student-status and other eligibility conditions |
| What does the visit involve? | Host institution, dates, activities, language support and accommodation |
| What is covered? | A written breakdown of fees, travel, meals and any funding; do not assume a free trip |
| How do I apply? | An official application page, deadline and named organizer who can confirm the process |
A message you can adapt: “I saw the September 2026 invitation for 100,000 young Americans to visit China. Does our institution have a confirmed programme connected with it? If so, could you send the organizer’s notice with eligibility, dates, costs and application instructions?”
Save the organizer’s notice and the date of its reply. If it cannot yet confirm a programme, ask how future announcements will be shared. That gives you a practical follow-up without treating an unverified application form as an official route.
What is not yet clear?
The remarks we checked did not set out eligibility rules, application dates, host institutions, funding, visa arrangements, or whether the new target will be delivered through existing programs. We will not point readers to a third-party application page as if it were the official route for this newly announced invitation. Prospective participants should look for later notices from the relevant organizers and their own schools or exchange programs.
The useful takeaway today is precise: a new five-year invitation was announced, building on a prior exchange initiative. It creates a reason for more Americans to learn about China, but the number of future participants, their plans and their interest in Chinese names remain to be seen.
Source and update note: event 2026-09-24; official English text posted 2026-09-25; rechecked 2026-09-27. All program details beyond the quoted announcement are marked as unknown. Cover image is a conceptual illustration generated for SoulName, not a photograph of the event.
