Gift exchange highlights duo’s long-lasting green drive and friendship

Yin Yuzhen presents an embroidery piece bearing the message "one Earth, one dream" as a gift to Ronald Sakolsky in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Tuesday. ZENG YUE/CHINA NEWS SERVICE

Yin Yuzhen, a national model worker renowned for her decades-long desertification control efforts in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, exchanged gifts with her American friend Ronald Sakolsky on Tuesday, as part of his long-awaited reunion tour in China.

The gift-giving ceremony took place in the morning. Yin presented Sakolsky with embroidered insoles inscribed with the words "desert" and "friendship", along with the phrase "never forget". Other gifts included an embroidery piece bearing the message "one Earth, one dream", with images of the planet, trees, and the names of both individuals, as well as a plate with their portraits on it and some local specialty foods.

In return, Sakolsky, who hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, brought gifts for his Chinese counterpart, including a scarf and a hat featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football team.

He also brought two large suitcases, adding that "I brought two suitcases because I know China. They are almost full and I only just arrived. I have to take these gifts home."

Sakolsky expressed his gratitude to the China Education Association for International Exchange, saying, "Let us not forget that CEAIE. I would not be here if it were not for CEAIE. They sent me to China. Now I am back again."

Their remarkable story began in 1999 when Sakolsky, who taught English in Henan province under a China-United States teacher exchange program, organized by CEAIE, was moved by a television report on Yin's tireless efforts to turn the desert green. He raised $5,000 in donations to support her afforestation work — a sum that helped transform the barren landscape into a thriving forest of over 50,000 trees.

"I am just playing my part in a broader story. I thought it was impossible. She made it possible," said Sakolsky as he reflected on their shared mission.

He added, "She shares the same dream to make the Earth more beautiful. She made the changes. Now the Earth gives it back: all the trees, fruit, vegetables. She is the miracle hero and she never quits."

On the same day, Sakolsky visited the global innovation research and development headquarters of Kargobot Autonomous Driving and experienced an unmanned bus.

"I've never been in a vehicle with no driver. It is amazing and it proves that Ordos is a city of the 22nd century," he added.

According to Yao Kai, vice-president of the headquarters, the technology makes cargo transportation more efficient and environmentally friendly, contributing to ecological protection efforts.

Sakolsky arrived in Ordos on Sunday to reunite with Yin for the first time in 26 years. Their emotional reunion, which attracted wide public expectations after Yin's online search for her benefactor went viral in May, has been hailed as a vivid example of people-to-people friendship between China and the US. On Monday, the pair planted three evergreen trees together in Maowusu, China's fourth largest sandy area, fulfilling a promise made during their online reconnection months earlier.

According to previous reports, Sakolsky's trip to China will run through Sept 1 and includes visits to Henan and Beijing.

Contact the writers at wangsongsong@chinadaily.com.cn