Ｆｏｕｒｔｈ Ｃｈｉｎｅｓｅ Ｃｏｍｍｏｎｅｒｓ Ｄｅｌｅｇａｔｉｏｎ ｉｎ ｔｈｅ Ｕ． Ｓ．

Ｌｉｕ　Ｙｉ

At the invitation of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. (UPS), the fourth delegation of ordinary Chinese people led by CPAFFC Vice President Li Xiao- lin paid a goodwill visit to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta from June 2 to 8. Also included in the delegation were two 5th-grade students from the Beichuan Middle School in the Sichuan quake-hit areas and three private entrepreneurs from Beijing. During the three-day stay in Washington, D.C., the delegation called on 16 US congressmen, participated in the Global Family Day activity with the theme of earthquake relief co-sponsored by the CPAFFC and the Global Family Foundation, at which Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong and 17 US congressmen were present and made remarks, and attended the welcoming reception hosted by UPS with six congressmen present. The delegation made a special trip to Atlanta, Georgia to pay a visit to former US President Jimmy Carter. During its stay in the U. S., the delegation briefed on Chinas earthquake relief efforts and exchanged views with the American side on the tremendous changes that have taken place in China over the past 30 years since reform and opening up and on Sino-US relations.

The performance of the Chinese Government and people in earthquake relief wins respect. The visit was made only a fortnight after the devastating earthquake occurred in Sichuan. At their meetings with the delegation, former US President Carter and congressmen expressed their condolences on those who died in the earthquake and their sadness over the tragedies that happened during the disaster. They gave their best wishes to the Chinese people and highly praised the unity demonstrated by the Chinese Government and people in the earthquake relief efforts. Spencer Bachus, Republican congressman from Alabama, said, the Chinese people plunged into earthquake relief with one heart and one mind and the Chinese Government quickly mobilized a large contingent of the army and rescue teams. The whole relief effort was great. Vernon Ehlers, Republican congressman from Michigan, stated, the decisive and prompt actions taken by the Chinese Government after the earthquake, the timely news release of the latest development in the quake areas to the international community and the reception of humanitarian aid reflected Chinas progress. Thelma Drake, Republican Congresswoman from Virginia, was deeply touched by the two students stories of how the teachers and students of their school helped each other during and after the earthquake. She said, the Americans learned news about the earthquake on TV, but they did not get such moving stories showing the indomitable and selfless spirit of the Chinese people. Diane Watson, Democrat congresswoman from California, expressed her admiration of the great courage and strength demonstrated by the Chinese people in the earthquake.

The Global Family Day on aiding the Sichuan quake areas strikes a sympathetic chord in the hearts of many Congressmen. On June 5, the delegation took part in the Global Family Day activity with the theme of aiding Sichuan quake areas jointly sponsored by the CPAFFC and the Global Family Foundation at the Capitol Hill. Chinese Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, 17 congressmen and their assistants, representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce, the World Harmony Foundation, Walt Disney Company, Morgan Stanley and Caterpillar, totaling over 100 people, attended the event. Ambassador Zhou and CPAFFC Vice President Li Xiaolin made speeches, expressing gratitude to the US Government and people for their goodwill and support for the Sichuan quake areas. The two students from Bei chuan Middle School spoke in English on the situation in the quake areas, thanked the United States and other countries in the world for their assistance to China, and told the audience that the Chinese people would surely win victory over the disaster and rebuild the quake areas into beautiful towns and villages. The speeches of the two students moved all those present. John Conyers, Democrat congressman from Michigan, said, the world is like a big family, the earthquake that occurred in Sichuan, just like the hurricane that hit New Orleans, evoked the American peoples sympathy. Nancy Boyda, congresswoman from Kansas, gave her kindest regards to the Chinese people. She said, the stories told by the two girls were very touching. She was happy to see that they had recovered so soon after the earthquake, and with their dauntless spirit they had inspired many victims to rebuild their homeland.

The CPAFFC had collected 535 drawings and handicrafts made by primary and middle school students from all over China as souvenirs to convey to all the members of the US Congress the best wishes of the Chinese children for China-US friendship and world peace. When the delegation handed these handicrafts to the Congress members, they all prized them very much, saying that these gifts embodied Chinese childrens friendship for the American people and would be placed in the most conspicuous spot in their offices. They asked us to give them the addresses of the students who made these handicrafts so that they could write to express their thanks.

Chinas reform and opening up and the development of Sino-US relations in the past 30 years receive positive appraisal. 2008 sees the 30th anniversary of Chinas adoption of the reform and opening up policy and the approaching of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Former US President Carter and congressmen spoke highly of the great achievements China had made in the past three decades since reform and opening up and gave positive appraisal of the development of Sino-US relations in the last 30 years.

Carter said, to establish diplomatic relations with China was the wisest decision he had made during his tenure of office. He was pleased to see that US-China relationship has become one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. He expressed his willingness to visit China in January next year to attend the celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Jean Schmidt, Republican congresswoman from Ohio, remarked, the Chinese peoples enthusiastic donation of money and materials after the earthquake was similar to what the American people did after Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans. This shows that despite the cultural differences, people in the two countries have one thing in common, that is, they all have a benevolent and kind heart. She expressed her conviction that the people of the United States and China will live in peace.

Thelma Drake, Republic congresswoman from Virginia, praised Chinas rapid development in recent years, saying that Chinas telecommunications industry has developed by leaps and bounds and that its mobile phone signal coverage has by far surpassed that of the United States. She added, in the process of development, the two countries face many similar problems such as energy shortage and environmental pollution. The two countries could strengthen cooperation and seek solutions to these problems together.

There were on the delegation farmer-turned entrepreneurs who built up their enterprises during the reform and opening up. After they made it, they went back to their poor home villages to practise charity, which produced good social results. After the earthquake, they all made donations in cash and material. Gresham Barrett, Republican congressman from South Carolina, appreciated the entrepreneurs deeds of repaying society. He expressed his support for trade between the U.S. and China and welcomed Chinese entrepreneurs to make investment and set up factories in South Carolina. Congresswoman Jean Schmidt spoke approvingly of Chinese entrepreneurs deeds of repaying society and helping people in the quake areas. Most of the congress members affirmed Chinas achievements in reform and opening up, praised the hard working and pioneering spirit of the Chinese entrepreneurs, and welcomed Chinese business circles to strengthen exchanges with their American counterparts and learn from each other.