For more than four decades, Luca Berrone has quietly worked behind the scenes to strengthen people-to-people ties between China and the United States and foster mutual understanding at the grassroots in the two countries.

Berrone's bridge-building journey began in 1985 when he helped organize a two-week visit of a Chinese delegation from Hebei province. Back in the 1980s, China was in an early stage of modernization. Visitors from China had a strong desire to learn about agriculture, manufacturing and education.

"Our goal then was to showcase what Iowa and the US were doing," Berrone said. "We believed cooperation could help China modernize, and at the same time create opportunities for American businesses and communities."

It's been four decades, but he vividly remembers every face of the five-member delegation that came to Iowa to learn about agriculture and food production.

The team was led by a "young and charismatic" Chinese official named Xi Jinping, then Party secretary of Zhengding county of Hebei province. During the two-week trip, Berrone and Xi developed a bond that has endured.

Years later, when Xi revisited Iowa in 2012 as China's vice-president, they rekindled their friendship. "I am truly humbled that one of the world's most important and powerful leaders remembers and celebrates a deep friendship with me and all old friends in Iowa," Berrone said.

That spirit of friendship became a catalyst for sustained exchanges between Iowa and Hebei. In the past four decades, the two sides have conducted numerous cultural, educational, tourism, sports and agricultural exchanges, along with music and art programs. Berrone said that such exchanges contributed to deepening the friendship and understanding between people from both countries.

Having visited China dozens of times, Berrone has witnessed its transformation firsthand. "The changes are astonishing," he said. The improvements in environmental quality, public health awareness, food safety, urban infrastructure, and hospitality services were remarkable. "The resilience and drive of the Chinese people are commendable," he added.

But more than the cleaner air in Beijing and the modern transportation systems, what struck Berrone was the quality of governance. "What I admire most is the ability to recognize problems and address them," he said. "That's real governance in action."

While globalization has played a role in the modernization of China, he believes the changes stem primarily from a government willing to listen to the needs of its people.

Last July, Berrone helped arrange an invitation for the Iowa high school choir "Bridges 2 Harmony" to perform in Beijing at the China-US Youth Choir Festival. The students from the school sang alongside nearly 80 choirs from both countries. Among the audience was Peng Liyuan, Xi's wife.

The choir traveled to Hebei after their trip to Beijing, where they exchanged songs with local students, and participated in spontaneous joint performances. "Within minutes, students who didn't speak the same language were singing together in harmony," Berrone said.

For Berrone, music is a universal language. "When words fail, music speaks," he said. At times when official conversations between China and the US go silent, he said, cultural elements such as music can help break the ice.

Music also provides opportunities for young Americans to learn more about Chinese culture and fosters deeper people-to-people interaction, he added.

Berrone believes youth are the key to shaping future bilateral relations. Sharing experiences sparks curiosity and encourages young people to explore beyond their own backyard.

He recalled Xi's speech at a welcome dinner hosted in the US in November 2023, where Xi extended an invitation to 50,000 youths from the US to visit China over five years.

The response to the initiative has been simply astonishing, he said. More than 40,000 US students visited China in over two years, vastly outpacing the projections. This is a terrific opportunity for American youth to travel to China, and witness firsthand this special country, he said.

It has also helped staff members, volunteers and organizers involved in the initiative to become better acquainted with their counterparts and promote inclusive working relationships, he added. "I believe this is one of the most remarkable and important initiatives to promote friendship, understanding and future cooperation between our countries, leading to lasting peace."

Since the beginning of this initiative, over 1,000 youths from Iowa have traveled to China and enjoyed a remarkable experience, returning enriched in culture, excited about their experience with many more friends across the world, he said.

For students from the rural Midwest region, this opportunity has been life-changing, he said. "Some had never even owned a passport before."

Seeing China with their own eyes dispels stereotypes, he said, adding that no online video can replace real experience. "I am hopeful that these lasting impressions will continue to spread the message of acceptance, culture, appreciation, and understanding," he said.

"There are still misunderstandings," he said. "Some believe Chinese students are not welcome in the US or that US students are not welcome in China. But these stereotypes are simply not true."

That's why communication matters, he said, adding that it is important to avoid shutting the door to visiting foreigners.

He encouraged the two peoples to increase exchanges and work together to influence the governments to ensure that the importance of these exchanges is not forgotten. These exchanges are growing and promoting better understanding at the subnational level, which will eventually lead to promoting good understanding at the national level, he said.

Though the world is facing immense geopolitical pressure, decoupling is not an answer, Berrone said. He believes that the US and China need to continue to work together. And people-to-people connections are the foundation of that cooperation.

As for the future, Berrone said he hopes exchanges will become more diverse and innovative, incorporating digital culture and other youth interests. "It is our responsibility to find creative ways to engage young people," he said, adding that once they participate, friendship grows naturally.

zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn