Xi encourages U.S. students to work for strengthened friendship

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Editor's Note: The following is an edited translation of a commentary from the Chinese-language "Commentaries on International Affairs" published on China Plus on April 22, 2019.

In his letter to a group of over 40 students from Niles North High School in the state of Illinois, Chinese President Xi Jinping provided answers to the various questions they asked him about his work, life, and hobbies. His letter was drafted like he was speaking to an old friend.

Talking about his role as president, Xi said that his job is to serve the people. Though very tiring, he told the students his role as president is also very fulfilling. The president's note also talked about his strong interest in a variety of areas, including philosophy, history, literature, culture, music and sports.

He noted that he has maintained these various interests since his time in middle school. On the question of whether he likes the United States, the president said, "I have visited the United States many times, and have been deeply impressed by the beautiful scenery, the hospitable people and diverse culture there. I have also made many American friends, including young friends."

Xi also took time to praise the students' penmanship and correct phrasing in Chinese, encouraging them to keep up their Chinese learning. Calling the young generation the future of China-U.S. friendship, Xi said he hopes that the students will cherish their youth, study hard and do what they can to promote friendship among the people of China and the United States.

President Xi Jinping visits Lincoln High School, Tacoma, Washington State, September 23, 2015. /Xinhua Photo

The letter is yet another example of Xi's belief that it is the young people who will help drive friendship between the two peoples forward. His letter has also generated an enthusiastic response at Niles North High School, with both teachers and students saying they can feel the president's amiability and his genuine interest in helping future generations in China and the United States come together.

The letter is part of a broader goal to develop more people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States. As the president once said, "Friendship, which is derived from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations."

It's a philosophy which is grounded in practicality. The tighter the links between the peoples of different countries and cultures, the more likely their governments and leaders will adopt friendly policies.

In the 40 years since Beijing and Washington first set up formal diplomatic ties, exchanges in various areas, including education, science, and technology, culture, healthcare and sports have acted as both an adhesive and a propellant in the bilateral relationship.

President Xi Jinping is presented with a football jersey by the school team during his visit to Lincoln High School, Tacoma, Washington State, September 23, 2015. /Xinhua Photo

Major steps forward in the relationship have included sending government-sponsored students to one another's country, seeing NBA players spending time with students in Chinese primary schools, the founding of Confucius Institutes in the United States to provide language and culture classes to the U.S. public, and so on.

As part of his trips to the United States, Xi has personally invited American students to China. His letter to Niles North High School students showcases his commitment to building a lasting foundation of ties with the United States.

History has shown that the relationship between the world's biggest developed country and the biggest developing country is going to continue to go through changes. There will always be adjustments, particularly when competing interests diverge. Stronger cultural and people-to-people bonds are the key to eliminating misunderstandings and frictions.

Noting that it is better to see something once than to hear about it a hundred times, President Xi concluded his letter by saying the students of Niles North High School are welcome to visit China. This is a sentiment held by most people in China, who believe that anyone who is willing to learn about China is worthy of their trust and friendship.

(Cover photo: Wang Limin (front R), a Chinese teacher at Niles North High School, shows a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping in Illinois State, the United States, April 3, 2019. /Xinhua Photo)

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