The State Department organized a cultural exchange event on Wednesday in Washington D.C.At an event called "Experience Chinese Culture," Chinese kids introduced their culture to American kids.

The program was hosted by Capricia Marshall, Protocol Chief at the U.S. State Department and was held at Blair House, the standing residence for America's Vice-President. Among those attending were U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Zhang Yesui, and dozens of kids from the two countries. American kids seemed captivated when they learned Chinese calligraphy and tried to prepare such traditional Chinese food as dumplings and spring rolls. Chinese kids performed martial arts, played Guzheng, a kind of ancient Chinese musical instrument, and displayed other traditional skills. The cultural exchange event was held in advance of Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to the United States, and was aimed at building friendly ties among the new generation of kids in of the two countries.