A U12 girls' softball exchange between China and the United States kicked off on July 14 in Shanghai's Songjiang district, promoting sportsmanship while fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

Shanghai, known as the birthplace of China's baseball and softball culture, hosted its first China-US baseball game back in 1947. More than 70 years later, the spirit of friendship lives on as young athletes from Shanghai and the US state of Iowa take the field together.

This four-day event brings together six U12 teams with over 100 players from schools and clubs in Shanghai and Iowa. For many of the US players — coming from smaller cities like Oskaloosa and Pella — this is not only their first time in China but also their first time abroad.