Chinese consulate in Chicago hosts luncheon to celebrate Year of Dragon

The Chinese Consulate General in Chicago on Friday hosted a luncheon in Muscatine in the midwestern state of Iowa in the U.S. to celebrate the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Dragon.

Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Jian extended festive greetings to the guests during the event, saying he was glad to celebrate the Spring Festival with "old and new friends" in Iowa.

The dragon in Chinese culture symbolizes courage, wisdom and strength, he said, adding that the friendship between the peoples of China and the U.S. also has infinite vitality, just like the meaning of the dragon.

The events featured performances from Chinese students, videos documenting the shared history of Muscatine and China, and activities, including the exchange of New Year gifts between Chinese and U.S. students.

Zhao told the guests that over the past year, China's economy has continued to rebound and improve, with annual GDP growth of about 5.2 percent, ahead of major economies around the world.

Stressing that China has continued to promote high-quality development and high-level opening up, Zhao said China's development brings new opportunities to the world and contributes more than 30 percent to global economic growth.

He said China firmly promotes dialogue, exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and works with other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind. "China will always be a staunch force in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development," he said.

China-U.S. relations are related to world peace and stability, as well as the future of mankind, Zhao said, adding that China's development is an opportunity rather than a challenge to the U.S.

Noting that 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S., he called on the two sides to adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation to push for sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

Speaking at the event, former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, a former governor of Iowa, said he is proud to be considered an "old friend" by the Chinese people.

He said the U.S.-China relationship is of great importance to both countries and the world, and 40 years of friendly exchanges between Iowa and China's Hebei Province have forged a deep friendship between the two peoples.

"We hope that the peoples of the two countries will further strengthen exchanges, develop cooperation and continue their friendship," he said.

Sarah Lande, a resident of Muscatine in the U.S. state of Iowa and an old friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping's, was also one of the attendees.

She noted that the friendship between the people of Muscatine and the people of China has lasted for nearly 40 years, embodying the enduring friendship between the two countries.

China's initiative to invite 50,000 U.S. students on exchange and study programs in the next five years is a great way to help young American students learn about China, Lande said.

She voiced the hope that with the arrival of the Year of the Dragon, the two sides will continue to deepen exchanges and friendship, especially between the young generations.

President Xi, on January 4, replied to a letter from Lande, saying that the achievements in China-U.S. relations are primarily attributable to the collective efforts of the people of the two countries.