Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a Chinese New Year card in response to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, expressing his hopes for strengthened ties and mutual prosperity between China and the United States.
In his reply, President Xi reminisced about the warm reception he received during his visit to the beautiful state of Iowa 40 years ago, a memory he holds dear. He emphasized that China and the United States share extensive common interests and a broad space for cooperation, suggesting that both countries can become partners and friends.
\"We can achieve mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world at large,\" Xi stated in his message. He expressed his hope that the people of both nations will engage in more frequent visits and exchanges, jointly writing new chapters in the story of friendship between the Chinese and American people. He called for new contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations.
The President's message was in response to a Chinese New Year card sent earlier by 58 individuals from Iowa, including friends like Luka 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 who participated in the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study over a five-year period.
In their card, the Iowa friends recalled President Xi's first visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended New Year greetings to him in the Year of the Snake. The representatives of teachers, students, and parents expressed gratitude for the \"50,000 in Five Years\" initiative, shared their experiences from visiting China, and conveyed their eagerness to visit China again.
This exchange highlights the enduring personal connections and cultural ties between the people of China and Iowa. President Xi's response underscores the importance he places on people-to-people exchanges as a foundation for strong bilateral relations.
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Xi Jinping sends Chinese New Year card in response to friends in Iowa
cgtn.com
