On September 30, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said at a reception celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China that President Xi Jinping’s first state visit to the United States in 11 years was one that has renewed the bonds of people-to-people friendship.

Ambassador Xie said, the two presidents recalled some of the defining moments in our shared history. During the Second World War, Chinese and American soldiers and civilians stood shoulder to shoulder, trusting one another with their lives. Together, they defended peace and justice, forging a friendship that has endured across generations. American teacher Ronald Sakolsky supported Chinese farmer Yin Yuzhen in her efforts to turn desert into forest. Through goodwill and perseverance, they made the seemingly impossible possible. Mr. Sakolsky is with us tonight. Please join me in giving him a warm round of applause! China’s five-year initiative to welcome 50,000 young Americans has already met its target ahead of schedule. President Xi has now invited 100,000 young Americans over the next five years for study and exchanges, bringing even more young people together to carry our friendship forward. Giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang have arrived in the U.S. We now have six panda ambassadors here, bringing even more warmth and joy to the American people. Let us keep expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges between our countries. Let the Pacific bring us closer, and let our friendship flourish for generations to come.