On May 24, 2007, Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei met with the 52 members of the U.S. Envision EMI university student delegation in the press hall of the Foreign Ministry.

He extended warm welcome to the students and introduced to them basic information about China, China's independent foreign policy of peace and basic position of developing China-U.S. relations. He pointed out that to strengthen the bilateral exchanges in a wide range of areas and at multiple levels is of great significance to promoting the healthy growth of bilateral ties. Youth represents the future of the world. The exchanges of youth are an important channel of enhancing the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples. We welcome more youth from the U.S. to visit China and hope the youth of the two countries join hands to create a bright future and build a harmonious world.

Later, Xie Feng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, and Feng Tie, counselor of the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, introduced the history and current status of China-U.S. relations and the successful practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong respectively and answered questions of the students on China-U.S. economic and trade relations, China's peaceful development strategy and the economic and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland China. The delegation also held workshops with the young diplomats from the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, the Department of Policy Planning, the Information Department and the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs.

Amid a cordial atmosphere with occasional applauses and laughs, the delegates asked questions actively. They said that the meeting helped them get a better understanding of China, its development road and foreign policy. They expect to become the ambassador of China-U.S. friendship and will spread their knowledge of China to more American friends.

The activity is hosted by the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs and fully supported by the General Office, the Information Department, the Department of Policy Planning and the Department of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs. The U.S. Envision EMI mainly aims to provide the U.S. university and middle school students with after-school education and arrange visits to and exchanges with foreign countries for excellent students. The foreign ministry has received the Envision EMI university student delegation for 5 consecutive years since 2003.