Amid the tranquil lawns of Zhejiang University’s Zhijiang campus on the Chinese mainland, Supervisor Rich Desmond from Sacramento County found himself struck by an unexpected academic kinship. "This reminds me exactly of the Ivy League," he told reporter Liu Mohan, soaking in the historic architecture and leafy walkways.
Desmond was in Hangzhou to attend the U.S.-China Sino-American Sister Cities Conference, a gathering aimed at strengthening community ties across borders. Drawing on his own sister-city experience in Jinan, he lauded the genuine warmth and hospitality of the people he met, saying those human connections often transcend political fault lines.
Looking ahead, the lawmaker expressed hope for more direct dialogue between national leaders. He believes the upcoming APEC Leaders’ Meeting offers a prime opportunity for both presidents to sit down face to face and bridge differences through diplomacy—proof that even amid global tensions, sincere conversation can spark constructive outcomes.
For young global citizens and changemakers, Desmond’s visit is a reminder that soft diplomacy—rooted in local partnerships and people-to-people exchanges— can lay the groundwork for broader breakthroughs on the world stage.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
