By staff reporter ZHANG JINGDE

IT was midsummer when Beijing International Airport received a group of 500 young guests - a delegation of college students from California, USA. They came for the "New Century, Silk Road" activity. In the following two days, they not only visited the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the China Millennium Monument, but also got together with 500 of their Chinese counterparts at the China Millennium Monument southern square. During their visit to world famous Tsinghua University, American students talked animatedly with contemporaries and teachers.

American students were thrilled at this rare opportunity to show their works at the Great Wall. "My painting will be shown at the Great Wall," said Jessica, beaming. "My parents will be so proud of me," said Chinese American Su Wenjuan, in her halting Chinese. The audience was particularly impressed by one of the paintings by an American student. She had painted the Star-Spangled Banner and the Five-Starred Red Flag, as well as a blown up representation of the Chinese character he -- meaning peace on a piece of silk.

As a cultural and educational exchange activity, "New Century, Silk Road" provided a good opportunity for Chinese and American university students to gain a better understanding of each other. Initiated in 2001, the aim of this activity is to invite 1,000 Chinese and American students each year. They bring with them their paintings expressing peace and friendship. In 2008, these 8,000 paintings will be joined together to make a 10,000-meter silk volume. This unparalleled symbol of the Sino-US relationship and the Great Wall will greatly endorse the spirit of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Students modeling the dresses they have personally hand printed.		An American student's painting.
A student showing her work.	Talking with Tsinghua students.	Exchanging gifts and farewells.