The inaugural China Bridge Challenge Program, co-hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and the University of Minnesota (UMN), concluded successfully, marking a significant milestone in cross-cultural academic exchange. Centered on the theme "Strategies for an Evolving U.S.-China Relationship: Joint Initiatives in Renewable Energy and Green Technology", the competition brought together exceptional students from both universities to explore opportunities and challenges in bilateral collaboration on green innovation. Over the course of nearly three months, student teams from SJTU and UMN worked together across time zones, engaging in online discussions and interdisciplinary teamwork. Their mission: to propose creative, feasible proposals that support Sino-U.S. cooperation in renwable energy and green technology. Two teams eventually emerged as winners, claiming the championship and runner-up titles!

Champion Team

The champion team presented a forward-looking proposal titled "Global City Connections for a Greener Future: Collaborative Learning, Shared Efforts, and Scalable Actions." Their solution stood out for its strategic vision and demonstration of strong cross-cultural synergy. Team members included Xiaohan Ding (Zhiyuan College), Yanjie Liang (School of Mechanical Engineering), and Tianyu Zhou (School of Environmental Science and Engineering) from SJTU, and Xiaotong Liu, Akshay Rai, and Yichen Yao from UMN. 

The competition stood out for its unique model of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together students from diverse academic backgrounds—engineering, environmental science, foreign languages, design, and more. Despite  time zone differences, language barriers, and cultural differences, students were able to overcome these hurdles through continuous communication and mutual respect.

By combining expertise from various disciplines, teams were able to present well-rounded, impactful solutions to real-world challenges in renewable energy and green technology. The experience not only strengthened students’ problem-solving abilities but also deepened their appreciation for international cooperation and cultural exchange. 

This inaugural SJTU-UMN China Bridge Challenge Program demonstrated the potential of student-led innovation in addressing pressing global issues. It also reinforced the importance of dialogue, partnership, and mutual understanding between the next generation of leaders in China and the United States.

Reflections From the Winners

Ding Xiaohan: "I am honored to participate in the China Bridge Challenge. During the preparation, I deeply felt the team’s cohesion—everyone contributed their thoughts and wisdom to our proposal. Friendship and respect allowed ideas to collide and spark brilliance through communication!"

Liang Yanjie:

"Participating in the China Bridge Challenge was an unforgettable experience. Our project focused on 'Sino-U.S. cooperation in renewable energy and green technology within evolving bilateral relations,' using StoryMap as a medium to promote energy data exchange between students from both universities. In our cross-cultural collaboration, we overcame time zones and language barriers, working closely with our U.S. teammates. This not only improved our communication skills but also deepened our understanding of their collaborative models and broadened our international vision. I realized that despite cultural differences, open and inclusive communication and cooperation driven by shared goals can efficiently achieve collaborative innovation, inspiring new ideas through cultural integration. I look forward to more such events building broader platforms for in-depth Sino-U.S. youth cooperation across all fields. May the China Bridge program continue to thrive!"

Zhou Tianyu:

"The competition centered on Sino-U.S. relations and green technology. I drew from everyday creativity (regenerative braking ideas from my metro commute) and laboratory research (metal-doped oxygen electrode coatings) to propose solutions. We collaborated online with three UMN undergraduates, dividing tasks tacitly and holding weekly meetings to report progress and exchange ideas. It was everyone’s wisdom and dedication that led to our success. I hope to maintain a proactive attitude in life and research—every inconvenience in daily life, combined with professional knowledge, could spark innovation!"

Wang Zixuan:

"From February 20 to 28, nine days and nights were split by the Pacific Ocean. Despite the tight schedule and time zone constraints for the final preparation, we persevered with full participation. The five of us spanned two continents, contributing Sino-U.S. youth wisdom to the China Bridge through sharing and communication. Thorough preparation replaced my initial nervousness with confidence with which I faced the final. When the competition ended, the sun shone brightly in Minnesota while stars twinkled in Shanghai’s Minhang campus—celebrating this encounter across time and space."

Wang Xiwen:

"As a freshman new to SJTU, participating in this event was a novel and unforgettable experience. I was lucky to have extremely responsible teammates. Our team focused on 'promoting collaborative research in battery technology between SJTU and UMN,' dividing tasks to sort out the two universities’ achievements and cooperation potential. A Chinese international student in our team took the lead in cultural exchange, and I evolved from feeling nervous during our first WeChat call to feeling at ease after getting to know each other, and finally striving for our best in the presentation. Seeing my teammates speak confidently on UMN’s stage, I was truly amazed by their excellent public speaking skills!"

The SJTU-UMN China Bridge Challenge Program will return this November! We welcome more students to join us on this exciting journey—collaborating  with outstanding peers from SJTU and UMN, exploring new pathways forcross-cultural and interdisciplinary cooperation, and contributing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to today’s global challenges.