Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a Chinese New Year card to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, expressing his appreciation for their long-standing friendship and highlighting the potential for cooperation between China and the United States.
In the card sent on Monday, Xi recalled his visit to Iowa 40 years ago, noting that the warm reception he received remains a cherished memory. \"The beautiful state of Iowa left a lasting impression on me,\" he wrote.
Emphasizing the extensive common interests between China and the U.S., Xi stated that both countries \"can become partners and friends,\" achieving mutual success and prosperity for the benefit of both nations and the world.
President Xi expressed hope for increased people-to-people exchanges, encouraging citizens from both countries to visit each other more frequently. \"Let us jointly write new stories of friendship and make new contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations,\" he said.
The New Year card was initially sent to President Xi by 58 Iowa residents, 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; as well as teachers, students, and parents involved in an exchange program inviting 50,000 young Americans to China over five years.
In their message, they reminisced about Xi's first visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended their greetings for the Year of the Snake. Participants in the exchange program shared their experiences from visiting China and expressed eagerness to return.
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Xi Jinping sends Chinese New Year card in response to friends in Iowa
cgtn.com
