Farewell Letter from Ambassador Cui Tiankai to Overseas Chinese in America

Dear Overseas Chinese,

Time flies, time flies. Since April 2013, I have been serving as Chinese Ambassador to the United States for more than eight years. I will leave my post and return to China soon. This is the longest foreign assignment in my diplomatic career. I have experienced many historic events, made many warm and friendly friends, and left me many unforgettable memories.

On the occasion of parting, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the vast number of overseas Chinese in the United States for their concern and support for my work. I remember vividly that shortly after I took office in April 2013, dozens of overseas Chinese organizations held a grand welcoming banquet for me. It was the first major event I had attended since arriving in Washington. I remember vividly that on holidays, I had a long talk with my overseas Chinese leaders, listening to you share your in-depth observations on the United States and offering suggestions for developing China-US relations. I remember vividly that every time a Chinese leader visited the United States, he was greeted by overseas Chinese everywhere he went. The Chinese and American flags were waved in the wind and cheers were heard. I remember vividly that whenever my ancestral home country suffered disasters and disasters, overseas Chinese did not hesitate to make generous contributions. In particular, I remember vividly that over the years, overseas Chinese have lived overseas in love with the people of China. They have worked tirelessly to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States, and have spoken out firmly to promote the reunification of the motherland and safeguard national dignity.

In a few days, we will mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Looking back at history, the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation are all filled with joy for the historic achievement of the great motherland from standing up, becoming rich to becoming strong. Generations of overseas Chinese have always adhered to the patriotic tradition and have never been absent in every period of China's revolution, construction and reform. They have made important contributions to the independence and liberation of the Chinese people and to the prosperity and development of the country. Looking forward to the future, China has embarked on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way. This has provided broader and brighter prospects for the development of overseas Chinese. At the same time, we also need the vast number of overseas Chinese to exert their wisdom, contribute their strength, and make a unique contribution to realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. I hope that the vast number of overseas Chinese in the United States will continue to cherish the hearts of their children, and work together with the sons and daughters of China at home and abroad to create a brighter future for China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States 42 years ago, bilateral relations have made historic achievements and the interests of the two countries have long been closely intertwined. Overseas Chinese in the United States have always been the private emissaries of Sino-US friendly exchanges with the advantage of integrating China and the West. At present, China-US relations are at a critical crossroads. The US policy towards China is undergoing a new round of restructuring and is facing a choice between dialogue and cooperation and confrontation and conflict. At this moment, overseas Chinese in the United States are shouldering more important responsibilities and missions. I hope you will continue to act as staunch promoters and active contributors to the sound and steady development of China-US relations, starting from defending your own rights and interests in the United States, safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American peoples, and promoting world peace, stability and prosperity.

Friends at home, if the horizon neighbors. I will always cherish the deep friendship I have forged with all overseas Chinese during my mission to the United States. Finally, I sincerely wish you all good health, family happiness and good luck!

The People's Republic of China in the United States of America

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Cui Tiankai

21 June 2021