Cui Zengqi: I met Xi Jinping

Cui Zengqi: I met Xi Jinping On September 23, 2015, during President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States, he arranged to meet with representatives of overseas Chinese in Seattle. I...

On September 23, 2015, during President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States, he arranged to meet with representatives of overseas Chinese in Seattle. I was fortunate to be invited to attend the meeting. I really feel honored. I have personally seen four presidents in my life. When I was young, I met Mao Zedong and Liu Shaoqi. They were at Tiananmen Square and I was at Guangzhou Square. I met Jiang Zemin when I was in middle age. It was at the Great Hall of the People, where I took a group photo with national leaders at a conference to announce scientific and technological progress. This time is the year of fashion. I once again had the opportunity to meet President Xi Jinping and take a group photo together. I also attended the reception and listened to his simple and sincere speech. I was really moved. I may never have such an opportunity again in my life. Xi Jinping gave me the impression of being honest and honest. When I took the photo, I saw that 90% of the black hair on the top of his head was mixed with traces of white hair. I felt that he was honest and trustworthy. Many Chinese leading cadres like to dye their hair glossy black and have crepe lines all over their faces, which gives people an unreal feeling. I don't like it. President Xi Jinping spoke to everyone very cordially. The first sentence he said about his feelings when he saw everyone was, "My fellow countrymen meet my fellow countrymen, and my eyes well up with tears!" He immediately shortened the distance between him and everyone, and was greeted with laughter and warm applause. He used the historical facts that Chinese people built the Pacific Railway through the Midwest of the United States and the overseas Chinese supported China's Anti-Japanese War to praise the contributions of the old overseas Chinese to China and the United States. Using an iron to hit oneself hard and hitting tigers and flies together demonstrates the determination to fight against corruption and govern the country. I find his three hopes for the Chinese and overseas Chinese very sincere. The first is to abide by the laws of the host country and integrate into mainstream society. It is not easy for the Chinese president to say this. As we listened to the speech, someone immediately said, “Did you hear that?” President Xi wants us to be Americans. yes! If you think about it carefully, this is the truth. When you immigrate to the United States, you should live with the American people and integrate into mainstream American society. Otherwise, why would you stay in the United States? Second, we hope that we can build bridges for Sino-US friendship and promote U.S.-China economic and trade exchanges. Only by integrating into mainstream society and having a say in the first point can we be able to do the second point well. Third, I hope that everyone can be a disseminator of Chinese culture and tell Chinese stories so that Americans can better understand a real China. yes! The real China is a China that was once bullied by foreign powers. It is a China that strives to develop the economy, improve lives, and longs for peace. It is a China where one billion farmers hope to have meat to eat every day, to be able to see a doctor, and to live a well-off life. Among the Americans I have come into contact with, their true understanding of China is still insufficient and even very one-sided. Just like those of us who grew up in mainland China, we have seen that Tibet's transformation from serfdom to today is a big step forward. The central government has put in a lot of effort and cost, but some American friends don't think so. The way Chinese people deal with some things can only make sense using Chinese culture. Speaking of Chinese culture, the Chinese Senior Citizens Association and the Senior Citizen Apartments are the treasure troves of Chinese culture stored in the United States. There are rich life experiences and various talents here. I hope everyone can show their talents and make new contributions to the spread of Chinese culture.

Xi Jinping asked the representatives to convey the greetings of the motherland to the overseas Chinese working and living in the United States, and wished everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, good health, and happiness for their families. Each representative was given a piece of Diaoyutai mooncake from his hometown. Everything feels like family. I am very happy and proud that China has such a simple and excellent leader. He has lived in poor rural areas and knows the sufferings and needs of the people. He has also worked at the grassroots level for a long time and accumulated considerable political experience. I hope that the motherland will become stronger day by day during Xi Jinping’s term, and I wish our compatriots will live a happier and happier life. Thank you to Liao Yingchang for taking two precious photos for me.