Is it easy for children to make new friends?

I'd say it really depends on the child's personality and environment. Some kids naturally make friends easily because they're outgoing and confident, while others might need more time to warm up. For example, I remember my childhood friend Li Wei from Hangzhou - he was always the first to approach new classmates and invite them to play soccer with us after school. That said, schools and parents can help a lot by creating opportunities for kids to interact through group activities or playdates. In Shanghai where I live now, I see many parents taking their children to community centers where they can meet others with similar interests, which definitely makes the process easier.