This autumn after a lapse of three years, Hwa Nan welcomed its old friends of China Scholar Project delegation from Sacred Heart Academy in Hawaii, US, the first group of foreign visitors received after the pandemic.

Between October 7 and October 17, eight teachers and students from Sacred Heart Academy had an eleven-day cultural exchange at Hwa Nan.  Accompanied by Hwa Nan teachers and students, they visited Fuzhou scenic spots including Pagoda Anchorage at Mawei and Lin Zexu Memorial Hall. Sacred Heart students paired up with Chinese students and experienced Chinese culture of Han-style clothing, floral arrangement, calligraphy, paper cutting, tea whisking, moon cake and dumpling making.  A seminar on English Celebrity Quotes was organized for Chinese and American teachers and students. 

 On the evening of October 15, Bob’s Friendship Dinner was hosted by the Trimbles.  Director Li Lin and Deputy Director Chen Guoquan from Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Fujian Province, Deputy Director Zhang Wei from Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Fuzhou City, Hwa Nan Council Chair Yu Rongmin, President Ren Jianhong, Party Secretary Li Tingwang, Vice President Huang Leijing, some students and teachers were invited to attend the dinner party.

On October 16, teachers and students from both schools visited Kuliang Old Street and the site of Lydia Trimble’s residency at Gu Ling.  They  attended a seminar held in the Chinese Western Culture Exchange Center at Yixia Villa.  At Xinhua Bookstore, leaders from provincial and municipal foreign affairs office presented the Trimbles and Sacred Heart teachers and students the books of Fujian Ancient Buildings and World Heritage Sites in Fujian.  Fuzhou Daily, Fuzhou Evening Post, Fuzhou TV Station 110 News Channel covered reports on the visit.  The crews of Documentary Film “Those Who Render Bliss Will Be Rewarded With Bliss”interviewed the Trimbles and Sacred Heart teachers and students at the site.

President Xi Jinping said people-to-people friendship holds the key to state-to-state relations. He also stressed the hope and foundation of the China-U.S. relationship lie in the people, and its future lies in the youths.  Hwa Nan will resolutely implement the important instructions of President Xi, promote exchanges between two schools and enhance friendship among Chinese and American young students.