Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended his warmest Chinese New Year greetings to his friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, emphasizing the shared interests and the vast potential for cooperation between China and the United States. In a heartfelt card sent on Monday, Xi reminisced about the warm reception he received during his visit to the picturesque state 40 years ago, a memory that remains vivid to this day.
\"The hospitality and friendship I experienced in Iowa still linger fresh in my mind,\" Xi wrote. He underscored that China and the United States share extensive common interests and have broad space for collaboration. \"We can become partners and friends, achieving mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world at large,\" he added.
President Xi expressed his hope for increased visits and exchanges between the peoples of both nations. \"Let us jointly write new stories of friendship between our peoples and make new contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations,\" he encouraged.
The gesture was in response to a Chinese New Year card sent earlier by 58 Iowa residents, including 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; as well as teachers, students, and parents involved in the \"50,000 in Five Years\" exchange initiative.
In their card, the Iowa friends fondly recalled Xi's first visit to their state in 1985 and extended their best wishes for the Year of the Snake. The educators, students, and parents expressed gratitude for the exchange program, shared their enriching experiences in China, and conveyed their eagerness to visit again.
The exchange highlights the enduring friendship and people-to-people connections that serve as the foundation for diplomatic relations between China and the United States. As both nations navigate complex global challenges, such personal bonds and cultural exchanges play a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
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Xi Jinping sends Chinese New Year card in response to friends in Iowa
cgtn.com
