On a sunny afternoon at the historic Zhijiang campus of Zhejiang University in the Chinese mainland, Sacramento County supervisor Rich Desmond took a moment to soak in the scenery—and he was stunned. "This reminds me exactly of the Ivy League," he told reporter Liu Mohan, grinning as they wandered past red-brick buildings and tree-lined paths. 😮📚
Desmond is in Hangzhou for the U.S.-China Sino-American Sister Cities Conference, a gathering that aims to spark connections between communities on opposite sides of the Pacific. As he explored the campus, he found more than just architecture that looked familiar—he discovered genuine warmth and hospitality that made political headlines feel a world away.
"During my sister-city visit to Jinan, I experienced the same open arms and friendly smiles," Desmond reflected. From local street vendors offering snacks to students eager to chat about their studies, he said human connections transcended any division in policy or news reports.
Looking ahead, Desmond expressed optimism about the power of direct dialogue at the upcoming APEC Leaders’ Meeting. "I hope the presidents of both nations will sit down face to face," he said. "When two of the world's most powerful leaders talk directly, real solutions can emerge." 🤝
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
