Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a Chinese New Year card to his longtime friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, rekindling a friendship that spans nearly four decades. In his message, President Xi expressed warm sentiments toward the people of Iowa, recalling the hospitality he received during his first visit to the state in 1985.
\"I still vividly remember the warm reception I received when I visited the beautiful state of Iowa 40 years ago,\" Xi wrote in his reply. \"China and the United States share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation and can become partners and friends.\"
The Chinese president emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening the relationship between the two nations. He expressed hope that citizens from both countries would visit each other more frequently, fostering new stories of friendship and contributing to the development of China-U.S. relations.
Earlier, a group of 58 individuals from Iowa, including friends Luca Berrone, Gary Dvorchak, and Sarah Lande; former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and his wife; former President of the World Food Prize Foundation Kenneth Quinn; and representatives of teachers, students, and parents who participated in the \"50,000 in Five Years\" initiative, jointly sent a Chinese New Year card to President Xi.
In their card, they reminisced about Xi's initial visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended their New Year greetings to him in the Year of the Snake. The educators, students, and parents expressed gratitude for the \"50,000 in Five Years\" initiative, shared their experiences of visiting China, and conveyed their eagerness to return.
President Xi's exchange with his Iowa friends highlights the enduring bonds formed through cultural and educational exchanges, underscoring the potential for mutual success and common prosperity between China and the United States for the benefit of both countries and the world at large.
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Xi Jinping sends Chinese New Year card in response to friends in Iowa
cgtn.com
