In North Kunming, McFetridge climbed atop a giant bronze pig to catch a photo to send back home. [Photo/keuka.edu]

Friendly ties

People-to-people exchanges, of which student exchanges are a large part, are a crucial tool for country relations.

"Students who have studied in each other's countries are the best envoys between China and the United States," said Ruan Zongze, a senior expert on China-U.S. relations.

They know both the different countries and they understand both cultures so play a unique role helping eradicate differences, said Ruan, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies.

According to the 2014 Open Doors Report by the Institute of International Education, China remains the fifth largest host destination for American students following Britain, Italy, Spain and France.

The increase in students shows China's international influence and market potential is recognized by the United States, said Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization.

"Both governments and the public attach importance to more U.S. students choosing to study in China," Wang said.

Helping the numbers are two of the largest exchange programs ever created between two governments. Part of the China-U.S. high-level consultation on people-to-people exchange (CPE) created in May 2010, China's "Three Ten-Thousands" project will see 10,000 Chinese students sponsored to study in the U.S. for doctoral degrees, 10,000 U.S. students will be admitted to study in China and another 10,000 U.S. students will be given scholarships.

The American "100,000 Strong" initiative, led by the U.S. State Department, aims to send 100,000 students to study in China, which it achieved last year.

China and the U.S. have formed a stronger link through their students. The number of Chinese students in U.S. colleges grew by 17 percent during the last full school year, hitting a record-breaking 274,000.