Episode Details

While marking the arrival of 2025, students and teachers in the US state of Washington received a precious gift — a New Year card addressed to them with a message from President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan.

Lynn Eisenhauer, a music teacher at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington, said it is always a special experience to receive a message from President Xi, and they are glad to know that Xi and his wife received their latest greetings of good wishes.

In mid-December, Eisenhauer joined students and teachers from local schools, as well as the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association in Washington state, to send a New Year greeting card to President Xi and his wife, as well as the Chinese people.

More than 100 teachers and students signed the card, on which was written in Chinese: "Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the 80th anniversary of (the end of) the World Anti-Fascist War. Embracing the New Year, long live peace, and may China-US friendship last forever."

David Chong, president of the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, said that "due to limited space, many friends couldn't fit their names on the card".

He added that the reason the card mentioned the upcoming 80th anniversary of the victories in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War was because "we want the Chinese friends to know that the American people have not forgotten the history of the two nations fighting side by side".

In the response card from the Chinese president, Xi and Peng said that during World War II, China and the United States fought together for peace and justice, and the friendship between the two peoples stood the test of blood and fire and is growing even stronger.

Ella Martino, a student at Stadium High School in Tacoma, said: "Signing the greeting card for President Xi was an incredible honor and achievement. I, as an American student, want to express my gratitude for the friendship between America and China. I also wish for the longevity of peace between China and America."

Brian Suy, a student at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, said of the World War II era: "I am familiar with this period of history and I believe that it is important for students to learn.