On the afternoon of July 17, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, attended and delivered a speech at the Bond with Kuliang: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Exchange Activity held by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Peng Liyuan, together with Chinese and foreign guests, watched a video of the "Bond with Kuliang" China-U.S. Youth Choir Week. Elyn MacInnis, the convener of the American "Friends of Kuliang", and Luca Berrone, a friend from Iowa, shared their stories of Kuliang and their experiences participating in China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges and sub-national cooperation. They expressed their deep affection for China and their gratitude to President Xi Jinping for his care and support for the youth of both countries. They also said that they will continue contributing to promoting China-U.S. friendship. Representatives of the American youth shared their enjoyable experiences during the visit and expressed their willingness to serve as the new-generation envoys for U.S.-China friendship, carrying forward the touching stories of friendship between the two countries.

In her speech, Peng Liyuan said that the century-old story of Kuliang and the deep friendship between President Xi Jinping and his old friends in Iowa, which has lasted for 40 years, epitomize the friendship between the peoples of China and the United States. Although China and the United States differ in history, culture, and language, the peoples of both countries love their families and are kind, friendly, hardworking and pragmatic, meaning that they are perfectly capable of becoming good friends and partners. Over the year since President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year period, many young people from the United States have been invited to visit China. They have gained first-hand experience of the real China, made new friends, and jointly written new stories of China-U.S. friendship. Youth are the future of the country and the future of the friendship endeavor. Peng Liyuan expressed her hope that young people will become the inheritors of China-U.S. friendship and promoters of peace and amity, and build a bridge of friendship between the two countries, contributing their youthful strength to a better future for both nations.

At the end of the event, Chinese and American youths sang songs together, passionately celebrating the friendship between China and the United States. Peng Liyuan took photos with the youths and friends from both countries. The atmosphere was warm and friendly.

Before the event, Peng Liyuan met with Elyn MacInnis and Luca Berrone, expressing appreciation for their long-time dedication to the cause of China-U.S. friendship and encouraging them to continue making positive contributions to enhancing exchanges and mutual understanding between the two peoples.