An exchange conference for civil friendly organizations in the U.S. and Jiangsu province took place in Nanjing, aiming to strengthen the relationship between the two countries through civilian friendship.
The conference was held on October 21, with over 60 representatives from these organizations attending, and a memorandum of cooperation between the Jiangsu Provincial Friendship Association and U.S. civil organizations was signed, according to the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu.
Qian Wenhua, vice president of the Friendship Association in Jiangsu Province, emphasized that China-U.S. relations are among the most important bilateral relationships in the world, shaping the future of humanity.
“Civilian friendship has always been the foundation and driving force behind the development of China-U.S. relations,” he said.
In his speech, Qian mentioned stories of China-U.S. exchanges, including the Kuling story (a story of an American physics professor Milton Gardner with Kuliang, a hillside retreat near Fuzhou, China), the Flying Tigers’ assistance to China during the War of Resistance to Japan, and "ping pong diplomacy," which broke the historical ice between the two nations.
He also expressed that Jiangsu province is willing to establish regular exchange mechanisms with the U.S. organizations attending the meeting.
“Face-to-face exchanges help us build true friendships,” said Gene Wood, president of Word4Asia Consulting International, a faith-based U.S. organization. He suggested increasing time spent together through music, sports, and exchanges among young entrepreneurs.
Robert Wesley, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Outreach Foundation, a faith-based U.S. organization, quoted President Xi Jinping’s summary of China-U.S. relations: "The hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at the local levels."
Wesley stressed the importance of appreciating differences, seeking common ground, and joining hands for global peace and the promotion of human well-being.
The Outreach Foundation plans to invite their friends from Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu whom they just visited to visit the U.S. and lead a delegation of young leaders to visit Jiangsu in the next year.
Representatives from the Friendship Association of cities in Jiangsu, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and Jiangsu, and the American Chinese Street Dance Association also shared stories of China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges.
