President honors foreign friends

President Xi Jinping expressed his thanks in a recent letter for the contribution made by foreign friends who fought side by side with the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people and contributed to the country's revolution, construction and reform.

In the first half of the 20th century, a number of foreign friends, including US journalist Edgar Snow and Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune, traveled thousands of kilometers to China to support the fight against Japanese invaders.

Recently, their families wrote to Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to offer their congratulations on the Party's centenary and to express their good wishes for China's new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country.

They stated their hope to honor the heroes of the World Anti-Fascist War, and said they are proud of their loved ones' choice in standing with the Party and the Chinese people.

In a reply letter to the families on Tuesday, Xi noted that these foreign friends "stood and fought shoulder to shoulder with the CPC and the Chinese people through thick and thin".

"We have always remembered their invaluable contribution to China's revolution, construction and reform, and their earnest friendship with the CPC and the Chinese people," Xi wrote.

Xi told the families that the choices made by their loved ones decades ago "are all worthy and honorable", as the Party has lived up to the call of the times, people's expectations and the trust of its international friends.

The Party united and led the Chinese people in delivering the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, Xi noted.

The Party is now leading the nation in marching toward the second centenary goal of fully building a great modern socialist country and in promoting the noble cause of world peace and development, Xi added.

"History keeps marching on, and the great spirit is passed down from generation to generation," Xi wrote.

He expressed his hope that the families would follow in the footsteps of their loved ones, and contribute to strengthening friendship and cooperation between the Chinese people and people around the world, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.