USA Pavilion today invited 113 students of the Shanghai No.3 Girls High School to tour the pavilion. Afterwards, they enjoyed a performance held by the Philadelphia Orchestra in the America Square of the Expo Site?in May 8?morning.

In 1876, the first World Expo in the United States was held in Philadelphia. During this time, the Qing government organized 113 Chinese students who were studying in America to attend the Philadelphia World Expo. They were met then by President Ulysses Grant of the United States. Some of those 113 children became key figures in China, including Zhan Tianyou, the famous railway engineer. Now, this moment in Sino-American history has come full circle.

The high school is a prestigious local school which enjoyed 129 years of history and produced many well-known alumni, including Soong Ai-ling, Soong May-ling, Soong Ch'ing-ling and Zhang Ailing,. The school also has a wind band which performs regularly.

The students still felt excited after the orchestra performance and spoke with the members of the orchestra. They appreciated the advanced technology shown in the pavilion and expressed their hope to become assets to society.