2023 China Travel Notes: Xiangyang Theme [John Wei]
2023年中国行记：襄阳篇【卫高荣】
Author: John Wei, The Founding Chairman of Chinese American Economic & Cultural Association (CAECA)
作者：卫高荣 美中经济文化协会创办主席
My 35 days 2023 China trip are Xiangyang, Hunan, Liaoning, Beijing 4 themes.
Here is the Xiangyang theme.
我的中国行有四大主题：襄阳篇、湖南篇、辽宁篇、北京篇。本文记录的是襄阳篇。
During the three years of the epidemic, I have been like a caged bird, rarely able to travel, let alone leave the country. Looking back on time, I visited Mainland of China on behalf of the Chinese American Economic and Culture Association in 2019, the year of China’s 70th National Day military parade. In 2023, when the epidemic was basically over and life gradually returned to normal, I was invited by relevant parties in China to start my overseas visits.
疫情三年，犹如囚笼之鸟，难得出行，更不说出境了。回望时间，我代表美中经济文化协会去中国大陆访问，已是2019年中国国庆70周年大阅兵那年的事情了。2023年，疫情基本结束，生活逐渐恢复正常，受中国有关方面邀请，我便开启了我的出访问工作。
Xiangyang is the first stop of my trip to China
襄阳，是我中国行第一站
Xiangyang is the second largest city in Hubei Province and the sister city of Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. The two cities have been connected for 13 years.
On May 18, 2010, Xiangyang Executive Vice Mayor Zhenqiang Shi and Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker held a signing ceremony to form a sister city in the conference room of Raleigh City Hall. I was fortunate enough to witness this solemn moment at the scene.
襄阳是湖北省的第二大城市，是美国北卡罗来纳州罗利市的姊妹城市，两座城市结缘已有13年。
2010年5月18日，襄阳市常务副市长施真强与罗利市长查尔斯·米克在罗利市政大厅会议室举行了结成姊妹城市的签字仪式。我有幸在现场见证了这个庄严的时刻。
The three-year epidemic and some disharmony in Sino-US relations in recent years have caused the exchanges between the two sister cities to be almost cut off. The relationship between countries lies in the friendship between people. As a witness to the establishment of sister cities, as a Chinese American, and as the founding chairman of the US-China Economic and Cultural Association, I have a strong sense of responsibility to promote people-to-people exchanges in Sino-US relations, and I also have an obligation. Promote people-to-people exchanges between the two sister cities.
疫情三年和中美关系近几年出现的一些不和谐，导致两座姊妹城市间的交往几乎断绝。国之交在于民之相亲，作为缔结姊妹城市的见证人，作为一名美籍华人，作为美中经济文化协会的创会董事长，我有强烈的责任心推进中美关系的民间交流，也有义务推进两座姊妹城市之间的民间交流。
Xiangyang is a famous historical and cultural city with a history of more than 2,800 years. The name "Xiangyang" began in the Western Han Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,800 years. Xiangyang is the birthplace of Jingchu culture and the hometown of the Three Kingdoms culture. Xiangyang has many cultural relics and historic sites such as the Ancient City, Gulongzhong, Xijiachi, Mi Gong Temple, etc. Many celebrities such as Song Yu, Wang Can, Zhuge Liang, Xi Chizhi, Shi Daoan, Meng Haoran, Mi Fu, etc. were born or raised here.
襄阳是一座历史文化名城，建城史已有2800多年，“襄阳”之名始于西汉，也有1800多年的历史。襄阳是荆楚文化发祥地，是三国文化之乡。襄阳有古城、古隆中、习家池、米公祠等诸多文物古迹，宋玉、王璨、诸葛亮、习凿齿、释道安、孟浩然、米芾等诸多名人生于斯或长于斯。
Xiangyang, a famous cultural city with such a long history, certainly fascinates me.
On October 16, I arrived in Beijing and stayed at the Zhongyu Century Hotel. Here, I met Section Chief Xiao Wang from the Foreign Affairs Office of Xiangyang City Government who came from Xiangyang to greet me. I met Section Chief Xiao Wang when I visited Xiangyang 15 years ago, when she was still a little girl. Section Chief Xiao Wang traveled thousands of miles this time and made a special trip to greet me, which made me extremely grateful. Time flies, but friendship lasts forever.
具有如此悠久历史的文化名城——襄阳，当然令我神往。
10月16日，我抵达北京，下榻于中裕世纪大酒店。在此，我会见了从襄阳赶来迎接我的襄阳市府外事办的小汪科长。小汪科长是我15年前访问襄阳时认识的，那时她还是一个小姑娘。小汪科长此次不远千里，专程前来迎候，让我感激万分。时光匆匆，但忘年交情长流。
Beijing West Railway Station
北京西站
Beijing Zhongyu Century Hotel
北京中裕世纪大酒店
Left: John Wei, Right: Section Chief Xiao Wang
左一：卫高荣，左二：小汪科长
On October 17, I arrived in Xiangyang.
That night, a group of old friends—Li Ling, director of the Xiangyang Philharmonic Orchestra, and several old artists from the orchestra held a banquet to warmly welcome them. They met again six years later, and the friendship remains the same. Director Li Ling and I met in August 2017. She led the Youth Troupe of the Xiangyang Philharmonic Orchestra to visit Raleigh, North Carolina, and performed jointly with the North Carolina Triangle Youth Symphony Orchestra on August 12. This is the first large-scale art exchange between the sister cities of Xiangyang and Raleigh. At the welcome dinner, everyone was chatting, laughing, singing, and felt like a family.
10月17日，抵达襄阳。
当晚，一群老朋友——襄阳爱乐乐团长李玲和乐团的几位老艺术家便设宴热情欢迎，六年之后再相逢，情分依然。我和李玲团长认识于2017年8月，她带领襄阳爱乐乐团少年团来访北卡罗利市，与北卡三角区青年交响乐团于8月12日联袂演出。这是襄阳、罗利这对姐妹城市进行的第一次大型艺术交流。欢迎晚宴上，大家谈笑风生，歌声四起，亲如一家。
Meeting with Philharmonic Orchestra Artists (1)
与爱乐乐团艺术家相聚（一）
Meeting with Philharmonic Orchestra Artists (2)
与爱乐乐团艺术家相聚（二）
Photo with the Philharmonic Orchestra artists
与爱乐乐团艺术家们合影留念
On the morning of October 18, we visited Xiangyang No. 1 Experimental Primary School. The school became a sister school with Torch School in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2010. Early in the morning, the school's principal Luo Jing and student representatives were waiting at the school gate. The student representatives introduced us to the development history and current situation of the school in English, and led us to visit the campus cultural corridor and sunshine sports projects. We went into the classroom to observe special courses such as hard-pen calligraphy, soft-pen calligraphy, fabric production, creative crafts, and cooking. The school’s concept of “happiness education” and the rich and colorful campus cultural life are commendable. I deeply feel that the young people of “Xiangxiao Primary School” are smart and talented, and Xiangyang has talents from generation to generation.
10月18日上午，我们访问了襄阳第一实验小学。该学校于2010年与北卡罗利市火炬学校结为姊妹学校。一大早，学校的罗静校长和学生代表就在校门口迎候。学生代表用英语向我们介绍了学校的发展历史和现状，带领我们参观了校园文化长廊、阳光体育项目。我们进课堂观摩了硬笔书法、软笔书法、布艺制作、创意手工以及烹饪等特色课程。该校“幸福教育”的理念和丰富多彩的校园文化生活令人称赞，我深感“襄小”少年灵秀，襄阳代有人才。
Principal Luo Jing and student representatives greeted them at the school gate
罗静校长和学生代表校门口迎接
Observe special classes and interact with students
观摩特色课堂，与学生互动
Walked up to the podium and encouraged the "Xiangxiao" teenagers
走上演讲台，勉励“襄小”少年
Taking photos with teachers and students of Xiangyang No. 1 Experimental Primary School
与襄阳第一实验小学的师生合影留念
In the morning, we took the time to visit the Physical Education Department of Xiangyang No. 4 Middle School, visited the school's sports training halls, and communicated with the young athletes. Secretary Li Jing of the school introduced the efforts made by the Sports Department in cultivating athletes. She proudly told us that the athletes trained and transported by the school achieved impressive results of six gold medals and one silver medal in this Asian Games. She hopes that the sister cities of Xiangyang and Raleigh can have more exchanges in culture and sports, so that the friendship can be passed down from generation to generation and bear fruitful results.
上午，抓紧时间，我们又走进了襄阳四中体育部，参观了学校各体育训练馆，与小运动员们进行了交流。学校李静书记介绍了体育部在培养运动员方面做出的努力，她自豪地告诉我们，学校培养输送的运动员在这届亚运会上取得的六金一银的傲人成绩。她期待襄阳与罗利这对姊妹市能在文化和体育方面有更多的交流，让情谊代代相传，结出累累硕果。
First from left: Ren Ping, Second from left: Principal Zhao Ling, Third from left: John Wei；
Third from the right: Secretary Li Jing，Second from the right: Director Wang Jianjun，First from the right: Section Chief Wang Ke
左一：任平，左二：赵玲校长，左三：卫高荣；
右三：李静书记，右二：王建军主任，右一：汪珂科长
At noon, we met with Yue Xingping, Vice Chairman of the Xiangyang CPPCC, Shi Suzhen, Director of the Xiangyang Taiyang Office and other leaders. Chairman Yue was born in Xiangyang and grew up in Xiangyang. He said: Xiangyang has a long history, a superior geographical location and convenient transportation. It can be said that it is "a thoroughfare for seven provinces"; Xiangyang has mountains and rivers, beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate. Finally, he proudly ended with this sentence: Apart from Beijing, there is Xiangyang!
中午，与襄阳政协副主席岳兴平、襄阳台办史素珍主任等领导相聚。岳主席生于襄阳，长于襄阳，他说：襄阳历史悠久，地理位置优越，交通方便，可谓是“南船北马，七省通衢”；襄阳有山有水，景色优美，气候宜人。最后，他自豪地用这样的语句结束：除了北京，就是襄阳！
Taking photos with Yue Xingping, Vice Chairman of the Xiangyang CPPCC
与襄阳政协副主席岳兴平合影
In the afternoon, we visited the Memorial Hall of General Zhang Zizhong in Yicheng City, Xiangyang. General Zhang Zizhong was a group army commander who died on the battlefield for the Chinese people during the Anti-Japanese War. He was the highest-ranking general of the anti-fascist allied countries who died on the battlefield during World War II. His heroic achievements in resisting Japan and his spirit of loyalty and bravery in serving the country are admirable. Premier Zhou Enlai praised him as "his loyalty and heroism can be the soul of the Chinese anti-Japanese soldiers." General Zhang Zizhong's heroic deeds moved me to tears. The eyes filled with tears also reminded me of my father. My father was also an anti-Japanese fighter in the Kuomintang army. He was seriously injured and did not leave the line of fire. He was carried off the battlefield by his comrades. Thanks to these unyielding anti-Japanese heroes, history will always remember them.
下午，我们瞻仰了襄阳宜城市张自忠将军纪念馆。张自忠将军是中国人民在抗日战争时期牺牲在疆场上的一位集团军总司令，是二战中反法西斯同盟国家在战场中牺牲的最高军衔将领。他的英勇抗日的功绩和忠勇报国的气概令人敬仰，周恩来总理称赞其为“其忠义之志，壮烈之气，直可以为中国抗战军人之魂。”张自忠将军的英雄事迹，感动得我热泪盈眶，也让我想起了我的父亲。我的父亲也是国民党军队中的一名抗日战士，他身负重伤，不下火线，是被战友抬下战场的。感谢这些铮铮铁骨的抗日英雄们，历史将永远铭记他们。
Later, we visited the Yicheng Museum.
随后，我们参观了宜城博物馆。
That night, Secretary Wu, Secretary of the Yicheng Party Committee, arranged a dinner to receive our group. He hopes that we at the US-China Economic and Cultural Association can build a bridge of exchanges and do a good job in promoting the economy, culture, education, art, commerce and other aspects of the two countries, so as to promote the common development of the two countries.
当晚，宜城市委书记武书记安排晚宴接待我们一行。他希望我们美中经济文化协会搭好交流的桥梁，做好两国在经济、文化、教育、艺术、商贸等方面的推动工作，促进两国的共同发展。
First from left: Wang Jianjun，Second from left: Meng Jin，Third from left: Zhou Xiuqing，Fourth from left: Sun Feng；
Fourth from the right: John Wei，Third from the right: Wu Yiquan，Second from the right: Ren Ping，First from the right: Zeng Jingsong
左一：王建军，左二：蒙瑾，左三：周秀清，左四：孙峰；
右四：卫高荣，右三：武义泉，右二：任平，右一：曾劲松
On October 19, our group visited Xiangyang Ancient City, Xiangyang Wangfu, Xiangyang Tenglong Automobile Co., Ltd. and Xiangyang Tianshu Textile Factory.
10月19日，我们一行参观了襄阳古城、襄阳王府、襄阳腾龙汽车有限公司和襄阳天舒纺织厂。
Photos of Xiangyang Ancient City Tower (1)
襄阳古城城楼留影（一）
Photos of Xiangyang Ancient City Tower (2)
襄阳古城城楼留影（二）
Pictures taken at the gate of Xiangyang Ancient City
襄阳古城城门留影
Photos of Xiangyang Ancient City Tower (1)
襄阳古城城楼留影（一）
Photos of Xiangyang Ancient City Tower (2)
襄阳古城城楼留影（二）
Visit Xiangyang Tenglong Automobile Co., Ltd. (1)
参观襄阳腾龙汽车有限公司（一）
Visit Xiangyang Tenglong Automobile Co., Ltd. (2)
参观襄阳腾龙汽车有限公司（二）
Visit Xiangyang Tianshu Textile Factory (1)
参观襄阳天舒纺织厂（一）
Visit Xiangyang Tianshu Textile Factory (2)
参观襄阳天舒纺织厂（二）
The three-day trip to Xiangyang, China ended successfully. On October 20, the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office arranged for a driver to take me to Xiangyang High-speed Railway Station. We took a group photo to say goodbye and promised to meet again in Xiangyang next time.
三天的中国襄阳行圆满结束。10月20日，市外办安排司机送我至襄阳高铁站。我们合影告别，相约下次与襄阳再相逢。
I took a group photo with Lao Luo at Xiangyang High Speed Railway Station
我和老罗襄阳高铁站合影留念
We boarded the Harmony High-speed train and headed to the next stop of our visit. May U.S.-China relations be like a harmonious train, running forward.
我们登上和谐号高铁，前往下一站。愿美中关系像一列和谐列车，向前行驶。
Let the world stay in peace forever.
国泰民安，世界和平！
感谢所有參与的同事：
张伟用，任平，Justin Yan,Amy Yu，刘洋，李宏鹏及辽宁友协，Amber Li, 汪柯及襄阳外办，郑志发，李勐。
