Q: According to AP and China News Service reports, American Ballet Theatre visited China on November 2 since its first visit 23 years ago, to kick off its Asian tour. ABT participated in a series of people-to-people exchanges and activities, which received wide attention from the Chinese and foreign media and praise from the Chinese people, who believe that this marks the gradual recovery of people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S.. What is your comment on this?

A: We have noted relevant reports. American Ballet Theatre (ABT), headquartered in New York, visited China again since its first visit 23 years ago, and presented a wonderful artistic feast with Giselle and other ballet to the people in Shanghai on its first stop. Shanghai Grand Theatre planned a live broadcast of "City Walk Shanghai with ABT Dancers", which gained more than 130,000 views in just half an hour. ABT dancers also tasted and praised Shen Dacheng, a featured dim sum in Shanghai. These warm and beautiful scenes are microcosms of the vibrant people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S.. According to reports, Susan Jaffe, the Principal Dancer at ABT and the current Artistic Director of ABT who performed in China for the first time 23 years ago with the classical ballet La Bayadere, said in a recent media interview that people-to-people exchanges between the U.S. and China are very important. Ballet is a universal language, and she hopes this kind of people-to-people exchange will continue.

As President Xi pointed out, the foundation of China-U.S. relations lies in the people and the source of strength lies in the friendship between the people. The heads of state of China and the U.S. reached important consensus when they met in Bali, who both agreed that China-US people-to-people exchange is very important, and the two sides need to encourage the expansion of such exchange in all sectors. Since the beginning of this year, the Consulate General has participated in and witnessed the positive momentum and "highlight moments" of expanding people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S., such as the Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems concert jointly presented by China’s Suzhou and the Philadelphia Orchestra; the Philadelphia Flower Show with China’s Chengdu as a participant for the first time in its 194 years’ history; Hangzhou and Boston celebrated their 41st anniversary of being sister cities; the premiere of the traditional Chinese-style dance drama Mulan in the U.S.. The Philadelphia Orchestra is also about to embark on a visit to China to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its first visit to China. The Consulate General is willing to continue to work with all walks of life in the consular district to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, lay a solid foundation of public support and add more positive energy to the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations.