Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and American friends old and new pose for a photo at the Chinese Embassy in Washington on June 19. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng invited American friends old and new to the Chinese Embassy in the United States on June 19, including Ronald Sakolsky, who supported China's desert control efforts; Gail Chou, who taught in Luoyang, Henan province for 12 years; and Ryan Corkery and Angelie Melara, participants of the "50,000 in five years" initiative.
Xie said that the recent summit in Beijing has not only established a new vision for China-US relations but also opened a new chapter in friendly engagement between our two peoples.
"To act on the important consensus between the two presidents and renew friendship between our two peoples, we need to take joint actions and make new contributions," he said.
Xie gave three suggestions on China-US people's relationship building: start with small, concrete things and turn vision into action; American friends can share their personal stories to help more people learn about the history of friendship between our people; and nurture a new generation of envoys of friendship.
"Let us act on the important consensus between the two presidents, and renew friendship between the people of China and the US," Xie said.
During the meeting, the American friends also shared their stories.
Sakolsky recalled his fond memories of China with deep affection. "When I came to China, I want to see the Terracotta Warriors, the Yellow River and the Great Wall. I want to live as Chinese. When I refused a 'special treat' and chose to live together with my Chinese colleagues in one room during a trip in China, I knew that I had truly become one of them," he said. "I am not a celebrity, I am just a common teacher that want to say thanks, want to do something for China to show my gratitude."
"This has been a reunion recalling my happy days in China. Now we are working to open a new chapter in US-China youth exchanges and I will take on the responsibility," Sakolsky noted.
Chou shared the touching details of her work and life in China. "I am homesick for China. China is my home away from home. The gratitude shown by Chinese students always touches my heart deeply."
Ryan said: "It was just little moments like these that really show you despite language and cultural barriers, there are things that will bring us together and those are the things we need to focus on."
Angelie added: "I have only stayed in China for one week and a half, but I have already felt the change. I can say that it changed the way that I thought about things, it has changed my way of thinking."
