China willing to boost people-to-people exchanges with the U.S.: FM

(ECNS) -- The story between retired U.S. teacher Ronald Sakolsky and Chinese Yin Yuzhen demonstrates that China and the United States, as two major countries, can achieve mutual success and contribute to the well-being of the world, said China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

The spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that recently, retired U.S. teacher Sakolsky, affectionately known in China as "Saikaosi" for supporting China's fight against desertification, visited China upon invitation after 27 years.

During his visit, Sakolsky traveled to Inner Mongolia, where he joined Yin, a national model worker, and revisited the forest he helped fund years ago, and together planted a tree of friendship. He also returned to the school in Luoyang, Henan Province, where he once taught, to meet with teachers and students. He visited Beijing as well.

Guo said that throughout his visit, Sakolsky witnessed firsthand the remarkable changes that have taken place in China and once again experienced the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people. Sakolsky was deeply moved and shed tears on several occasions.

According to the spokesperson, Sakolsky said that Yin and he have shown that they can bridge cultures and break down boundaries. "China and the United States are like two roads, they may take different routes, but they can still lead to the same destination. His sincere words have touched many people. They reflect a shared aspiration of the people of both countries."

Guo noted that China will, as always, support more visits and exchanges between the two peoples, so that we can continue to write new chapters in our people-to-people friendship and make greater contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations.