The Discover China Program, which brings international students to China for a two-week academic and cultural exchange, began on Tuesday at Beijing Foreign Studies University, aiming to help participants "gain deeper insights into China while building bridges between China and the international community," according to the university's vice president.

Now in its second year, the program is part of BFSU's efforts to support China's initiative to invite 50,000 American youths to the country over five years, a goal proposed in 2023 to boost people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

The first session, which runs through June 29, includes 13 students from U.S. institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Wyoming and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Participants will explore landmarks including the Palace Museum, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.