As part of the "Shanghai Let's Meet" city promotion initiative, the program brought together artists, young people, business representatives and community leaders from the two countries, beginning with an outdoor gala there and continuing with a dinner at the Mayflower Hotel. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee were among the guests.

　　Artists from China and the United States shared the National Mall stage in a program that brought together traditional Chinese arts, contemporary works and Western classics. Renowned Chinese instrumentalist Fang Jinlong and Huangmei Opera artist Han Zaifen were among the featured performers.

　　The program also included Peking Opera, excerpts fromCarmenandLa Traviata, and music from the Chinese video gameBlack Myth: Wukong, performed by Lin Wei, Jin Ziqi, Zhang Zheng and the Manhattan Philharmonic Society. The outdoor gala concluded with 40 members of the One Voice Children's Choir singingWe Are Together.

　　Speaking at the dinner, Xie said the event came only days after President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United States and testified to the vibrant cultural exchanges between the two countries. "While our two countries have different histories and cultures, that is no reason for estrangement, but rather an impetus to celebrate our diversity," he said.

　　Xie highlighted the importance of people-to-people and youth exchanges. Building on the "50,000 in five years" initiative, which was completed ahead of schedule, President Xi has invited 100,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and study in the coming five years, he said.

　　Xie said Shanghai plays an indispensable role in friendly engagement between China and the United States, Shanghai Media Group serves as an important bridge for China-US cultural exchanges, and Maryland is "a pioneer in bilateral subnational interactions and 'pickleball diplomacy'".