[Commentary] On April 22, local time, Qin Gang, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, came to Kimberley Farm in the suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa, United States, to visit the family of American farmer Rick Kimberly.
On the same day, Qin Gang listened to Kimberly and his family tell about the past and current situation of Sino-US agricultural cooperation, and was invited to operate and drive a tractor to experience the horsepower of large agricultural machinery.
[Live sound] May I invite you to try driving this tractor together?
(Of course) Are you ready?
You go up first.
[Commentary] Qin Gang and Kimberly entered the cab immediately. After Kimberly explained for a while, Qin Gang sat in the main driver's seat and started the motor, and controlled the crawler combine harvester to drive steadily towards the field ahead amid the roar and cheers of the motor.
[Commentary] Stepping out of the tractor cockpit, Qin Gang said to Kimberly, "Today I experienced the life of a 'one-day farmer', and I hope to come back when the harvest is good."
[Concurrent] American farmer Rick Kimberly
We started the tractor.
The ambassador drives the tractor.
I think he really got a feel for what it's like to work in a tractor, the power of a modern machine like this and how much work it can do.
I love that feeling and I'm very happy to have this opportunity.
[Explanation] During a short talk in the living room, Kimberly told Qin Gang that he had been to China more than 20 times and visited different types of farmland all over China.
[Concurrent] American farmer Rick Kimberly
I have a very deep relationship with Chinese farmers.
We want to help them increase their production in a better, sustainable way.
This is important.
At the end of the day, we want to help them increase their income and give them a better life.
[Commentary] Qin Gang said that this time I came to Iowa, the hinterland of the United States, to continue the friendship between the two peoples, go deep into the daily life of the local people, promote mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the United States in agriculture and other fields, and further tighten the two countries. Emotional and interest ties between nations.
[Concurrent] Qin Gang, Chinese Ambassador to the United States
I think agricultural cooperation between China and the US should not be limited to a simple "I buy you sell".
We can build on this foundation and do more.
[Commentary] Qin Gang also said that Chinese and American agricultural people should strengthen communication and experience sharing, expand the space for mutually beneficial cooperation, and make the food on each other's table healthier and more diverse.
We must also work together to address the challenges posed by regional conflicts and climate change to food security, so as to provide more certainty to the world.
[Concurrent] Qin Gang, Chinese Ambassador to the United States
We are facing the challenge of climate change, and there are many unstable factors in the world.
We can do more on how to make agriculture sustainable.
I do hope that in the future, China and the United States can have more interaction and cooperation in this regard.
This is very inspiring.
[Explanation] Afterwards, Kimberly presented Qin Gang with a tractor model and souvenirs made of Iowa crops.
Qin Gang returned gifts such as Beijing Winter Olympics souvenirs and Chinese knots to the Kimberley family.
[Commentary] Kimberly led Ambassador Qin to the kitchen, where local agricultural products such as beef, bacon, and sweet corn edamame salad have been placed.
The two put on their aprons and started a bilingual "live broadcast with goods" in Chinese and English on social media platforms.
[Commentary] Talking about the experience of "One Day Farmer", Qin Gang said that this experience is very good.
[Concurrent] Qin Gang, Chinese Ambassador to the United States
good, very good.
Experience the life of the most grassroots people and their aspirations.
I could feel that they were all very genuine and very warm.
I hope that the people of our two countries will enjoy good relations, and that there will be more cooperation between China and the United States, so that the lives of the common people will be better.
Not worth it.
Reporter Wang Fan Chen Mengtong Producer Zhou Jing
Responsible editor: [Chen Wentao]