In a gesture of goodwill and friendship, Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a Chinese New Year card to his friends in the U.S. state of Iowa. The exchange highlights the enduring personal connections and mutual respect between individuals in China and the United States, despite the complexities of international relations.
President Xi reminisced about his first visit to Iowa 40 years ago, expressing that the warm reception he received in the \"beautiful state\" remains a vivid memory. He emphasized the extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation between China and the United States, stating that both nations can become partners and friends.
\"China and the United States can achieve mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world at large,\" Xi wrote in his card. He expressed hope that the two peoples would engage in more visits and exchanges, jointly writing new stories of friendship and contributing to the development of China-U.S. relations.
The Chinese New Year card was originally sent to President Xi by 58 friends from Iowa. Among them were Luca Berrone, Gary Dvorchak, 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 involved in the \"50,000 in Five Years\" exchange initiative.
In their message, they recalled Xi's visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended their New Year greetings for the Year of the Snake. The teachers, students, and parents expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the exchange program, shared their experiences from visiting China, and conveyed their eagerness to return.
This warm exchange underscores the importance of people-to-people connections in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between nations. As global challenges require collaborative efforts, such personal relationships serve as a foundation for building stronger international ties.
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Xi Jinping sends Chinese New Year card in response to friends in Iowa
cgtn.com
