A chance meeting 27 years ago has led to an international event today in eastern Iowa. Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will take time out from his official visit to the United States to meet with some old friends in Muscatine.
Sarah Lande, organizer of the visit, hosted Xi in 1985 when the young Chinese provincial official came to the U.S. to learn about agriculture. He visited farms and businesses for three days, including Kent Feeds, Monsanto and Heinz.
“We just welcomed him into our home, just like our family,” Lande said. “He slept in the kids’ room. We just gave him the good, Midwestern hospitality and that seemed to be very important to him. He seemed quite moved by it.”
Full story: Chance 1985 visit led to today’s event with the Chinese vice president