Who is Sarah Lande? China’s Xi Jinping to reunite with unlikely Iowan friend at Biden summit
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: In a small town potluck in Muscatine, Iowa, back in 1985, Sarah Lande shared green bean casserole with a young Chinese official, Xi Jinping, never anticipating that this encounter would lead to a decades-long, unexpected friendship.
Fast forward to the present, and the now 85-year-old Lande is set to reunite with Xi, China's paramount leader, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, as per New York Post.
Xi Jinping to meet President Joe Biden to discuss pressing issues
Xi, now a formidable global figure, is scheduled to meet President Biden to discuss myriad pressing issues, spanning from trade dynamics to tensions surrounding Taiwan.
However, the summit's most unexpected reunion lies in the evening, as Xi joins Lande once more, this time amid a gathering of 300 guests, comprising American business magnates and tech leaders. It's a reunion that underscores the intersection of diplomacy and personal connections in the complex landscape of international relations.
Lande, the former director of Iowa’s Sister States program, facilitated this enduring connection. Welcoming Hebei Province's inaugural delegation to Iowa in 1985, Lande's invitation for a potluck not only featured typical Iowa fare but also laid the groundwork for an extraordinary friendship that transcended political boundaries.
Sarah Lande recalls Xi Jinping exuding a light-hearted spirit
Reflecting on their initial meeting, Lande reminisced about Xi's demeanor — an affable, eager learner with an unexpected penchant for Mark Twain. Despite language barriers, Xi exuded a light-hearted spirit, delving into American culture with a thirst for understanding.
His visit encompassed hog roasts, boat rides on the Mississippi, and even a crash course in truck driving while exploring Iowa's agricultural landscape.
Their reunion in 2012, shortly after Xi became president, further solidified their bond. Subsequent visits saw Lande and fellow Iowans traversing China with Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, fostering deeper ties between the Midwesterners and China's leadership.
Sarah Lande's message to Xi Jinping calls for a cooperative approach
While Lande values their friendship as a potential catalyst for fostering US-China relations, she remains critical of many of Xi's policies.
Expressing concerns about Hong Kong's fate and Taiwan's sovereignty, Lande underscores the importance of cooperation amid adversities.
She advocates for a collaborative approach between the two nations, emphasizing common ground on global challenges like climate change and food security.
Lande's message to Xi echoes a call for a more open and cooperative approach, urging a departure from strongman tactics to achieve shared goals.
Her belief in the power of collaboration stands strong, envisioning a world where the two strongest economies operate in tandem while resolving conflicts for global betterment.
