Events

YES Program Co-branded Credit Cards Launched in Beijing

The China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), Visa and the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) launched two co-branded credit cards for the Young Envoys Scholarship (YES) Program in Beijing on September 2. The “YES Yujian (遇见) Credit Card” for students and the “YES Yujian (育见) Credit Card” for educators are designed to better serve the YES Program participants.

The event brought together Tian Xuejun, President of CEAIE Yang Jun, Vice President and Secretary General of CEAIE Robert Thomson, Senior Vice President and Head of Visa Global Government Affairs Sharon Yuan, Senior Vice President and Head of Government Affairs, Asia Pacific, Visa Yin Xiaolong, General Manager, Visa Mainland China and representatives from ABC’s Credit Card Center and Beijing Branch.

Tian said CEAIE has been working closely with partners in China and the United States to advance the “50,000 in Five Years” initiative. Over the past two years, more than 34,000 young Americans have come to China through the YES Program. He called for broader participation in strengthening ties between the two peoples and advancing China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges.

“People-to-people exchanges are key to mutual trust and cooperation,” said Robert Thomson. “Visa is honored to support the YES Program and will continue to provide safer and more convenient payment services for young people coming to China for exchange and study.”

CEAIE and Visa also signed the Phase II Project Agreement (2027–2028), renewing their partnership. ABC officially joined the “YES Friends” community, which brings together organizations and businesses from China and abroad to support the YES Program.


About the YES Program
The Young Envoys Scholarship (YES) Program is an important platform for implementing President Xi Jinping’s “50,000 in Five Years” initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over a five-year period, as well as his initiatives to promote the number of French students studying in China to exceed 10,000 in three years and double the scale of European youth exchanges in China. CEAIE serves as the lead executing institution of the Program.

On May 23, 2026, President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from Chinese and U.S. students participating in “A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program,” noting that the goal of the “50,000 in Five Years” initiative had been achieved two and a half years ahead of schedule. More than 30,000 young Americans had come to China through the YES Program.

The Program offers academic exchanges, language learning, science and technology activities, sports and cultural activities, cultural visits, and practical learning at companies, giving young Americans an immersive experience of China.

CEAIE also established the “YES Friends” community to bring together industry associations, leading companies, civil organizations and individuals committed to educational exchanges. To date, 10 domestic and international companies and social organizations have joined, including passenger aviation, financial services, education, trade and business.

（By the Department of Higher Education Cooperation）