Fifteen high school students and three teachers from San Francisco arrived in Shenzhen on June 16, launching the week-long "Bridging the Bays" China-U.S. Youth Innovation and Exploration Exchange Camp. The program, co-organized by the Shenzhen and San Francisco municipal governments, advances the "San Francisco Vision" while fostering exchanges in education, technology, culture, and sustainable development.
The delegation's first day immersed them in Shenzhen’s innovation ecosystem and transformative history. At Shenzhen Middle School, students teamed up for a VEX Robotics challenge after touring the campus’s smart library and creating traditional paper-cut art. "Oh my god! We have to step up our game! This robotics class was amazing," said Spruce Elementary School teacher Vaylene Baxter, impressed by the students’ technical skills. Elaina Tian from Miramonte High School noted, "I learned so much—robotics programs here are more advanced than what most U.S. high schools offer."
Later, at the exhibition documenting Guangdong’s 40 years of reform and opening-up, the group witnessed Shenzhen’s dramatic evolution. Baxter called the hall "huge and beautiful – rare in SF," describing the contrast between 1970s Shenzhen and today as "crazy." History enthusiast Ian Co (San Marin High) found the city’s economic shift "fascinating," while classmate Conan Munter praised its "incredibly fast industrial development."
The opening ceremony at Shenzhen Polytechnic University highlighted the partnership’s momentum. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie emphasized shared innovative values in a video message: "Though oceans apart, both cities champion youth and diversity," inviting Shenzhen students and citizens for a 2026 reciprocal visit. Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin called Shenzhen "China’s youngest tech frontier – the best window to understand Chinese modernization."
Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Director Cao Saixian coined "Bay Speed" to describe the rapid progress: "After proposing ties during Mayor London Breed’s 2024 visit, San Francisco signed our MOU just 40 days later." The ceremony featured cultural performances, including lion dancing and Tai Chi by Shenzhen students.
Over the next week, the delegation will visit tech leaders (BYD, Insta360, BGI), universities (CUHK-Shenzhen, SUSTech), and experience Tai Chi and tea ceremonies—embodying a bidirectional effort to build lasting bridges between the future leaders of the two innovation hubs.
Reporter | Cai Minling
Photo | Shenzhen Middle School, Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office
Editor | Wei Shen, James, Shen He
