A design diagram of Universal Studios' theme parks in Beijing. [Photo/CCTV.com]

Mei Lanfang toured the US 90 years ago. His son Mei Baojiu is one of China's most famous opera stars, and he was thrilled to take his family's tradition back to American soil.

"In 1930, my father performed many shows in the United States, in New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. So if I'm going to do something in memory of my father, to celebrate his work, I must return to those cities. The heart of the performance, the work of the performer, is the soul of my father's art, and that continues to thrive," said Mei Baojiu, Peking Opera master.

Communications between young people in both countries have also been active. Brigham Young University is truly an old friend of China. BYU performing groups have visited China more than 30 times and have entertained in 35 different cities across the country in the 36 years since their first tour in the 1980s.

2015 marks the tenth anniversary of BYU's collaboration with the famous Meet-in-Beijing Arts Festival, where singers and dancers from the university graced the stage in Beijing.

BYU has also held workshops with students in China, sharing their passion for music and cross-cultural encounters.

Rex Barrington, assistant director of Brigham Young University Singers said:"It's a marvelous experience when you have students from one country working with students from another - universities from the United States with universities from China or other parts of the world - increases the educational experience. It helps the students broaden their understanding of the world."

Experts believe people-to-people cultural exchanges can benefit both countries. "By people-to-people exchange, projects now available to them," said Teng Jimeng, Beijing Foreign Studies University.

The United States and China have the largest GDPs in the world, so when their heads of state get together, they're bound to talk numbers. Of course, the media will also focus on commercial cooperation.

But lasting connections between nations must be rooted in something more than mere facts and figures. Surely, it is in the realm of cultural exchange that hearts can be truly united and greater understanding forged between two peoples.