Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a Chinese New Year card to his friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, expressing hopes for strengthened ties and cooperation between China and the United States. The gesture comes in response to a greeting card sent to him by 58 Iowan friends, rekindling memories of his visit to the state 40 years ago.
In his reply, President Xi fondly recalled the warm reception he received during his 1985 visit to the \"beautiful state of Iowa,\" noting that the hospitality remains fresh in his memory. He emphasized the extensive common interests and the broad space for cooperation that exist between China and the United States, stating that both countries 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,\" President Xi wrote. He expressed his hope that the peoples of both nations will engage in more exchanges and visits, jointly writing new stories of friendship and contributing to the development of China-U.S. relations.
The original New Year card sent to President Xi was signed by a diverse group of Iowans, including 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; and representatives of teachers, students, and parents from Iowa who participated in the \"50,000 in Five Years\" initiative, which aims to encourage 50,000 young Americans to visit China for exchange and study over a five-year period.
In their message, the Iowa friends reminisced about President Xi's first 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 \"50,000 in Five Years\" initiative, shared their positive experiences from visiting China, and conveyed their eagerness to return.
President Xi's exchange with the people of Iowa highlights the enduring personal connections that can bridge nations. As both countries navigate complex global challenges, such grassroots friendships offer 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
