BEIJING -- China and the United States, sharing extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation, can become partners and friends.

This goodwill message, along with Chinese New Year greetings, was sent by President Xi Jinping to his friends in the US state of Iowa ahead of this year's Spring Festival.

He was replying to 58 Iowans who sent him a greeting card and recalled in it the Chinese leader's first visit to Iowa in 1985. Among them are Xi's longtime friends Luca Berrone, Gary Dvorchak and Sarah Lande.

Nearly four decades ago, Xi traveled to the United States for the first time. During that visit, he met these ordinary Americans. Since then, a special bond has been formed that lasts to this day.