Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended heartfelt Chinese New Year greetings to his friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, highlighting the enduring friendship between the two nations. In a return card sent on Monday, President Xi reminisced about the warm reception he received during his visit to the picturesque state 40 years ago, noting that the memories remain vivid.
Emphasizing the extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation between China and the United States, Xi expressed optimism about the potential for both countries to 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,\" he stated.
President Xi also conveyed his hope for increased exchanges between the peoples of both nations. He encouraged more visits and interactions, aiming to \"jointly write new stories of friendship\" and make significant contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations.
The Chinese New Year card from Iowa was jointly sent by 58 individuals, including long-time 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 involved in the \"50,000 in Five Years\" exchange initiative. In their card, they recalled Xi's initial visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended New Year greetings in the Year of the Snake.
The representatives who participated in the exchange program thanked President Xi for initiating the \"50,000 in Five Years\" initiative. They shared their experiences from visiting China and expressed eagerness to return, reflecting the deepening person-to-person ties fostered by such exchanges.
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Xi Jinping sends Chinese New Year card in response to friends in Iowa
cgtn.com
