Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a heartfelt Chinese New Year card to his friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, rekindling memories of his visit to the state nearly four decades ago. In his message, President Xi emphasized the enduring friendship between China and the United States, highlighting the extensive common interests and vast potential for cooperation between the two nations.
\"The warm reception I received when I visited the beautiful state of Iowa 40 years ago is still fresh in my memory,\" President Xi wrote. He expressed optimism about the future of China-U.S. relations, stating that both countries can achieve mutual success and prosperity, benefiting not only themselves but also the world at large.
President Xi conveyed his hope for increased people-to-people exchanges, encouraging citizens of both nations to visit each other more frequently. He believes that through shared experiences and collaboration, new chapters of friendship can be written, contributing positively to the development of bilateral relations.
The Chinese New Year card from President Xi was sent in response to a card jointly sent earlier by 58 individuals from Iowa. The group included long-time friends such as 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 the \"50,000 in Five Years\" initiative—a program aimed at inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study over a five-year period.
In their card, the Iowa friends reminisced about President Xi's first visit to their state in 1985 and extended warm New Year greetings to President Xi in the Year of the Snake. The educators, students, and parents expressed their gratitude for the exchange initiative, shared their positive experiences visiting China, and voiced their eagerness to return.
This exchange of New Year greetings underscores the importance of grassroots diplomacy and cultural exchanges in strengthening international relations. As both nations navigate complex global challenges, such personal connections serve as a foundation for mutual understanding and collaboration.
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Xi Jinping sends Chinese New Year card in response to friends in Iowa
cgtn.com
