2025年2月26日，陳立總領事在《南華早報》發表題為《人文交流是中美關係的重要粘合劑》署名文章。全文如下：

我抵達紐約履新已有四個月。這段時間裡，我踏上了一段充滿溫暖、探索與聯結的旅程。無論走到哪裡，我都能感受到美國普通民眾的真誠與善意，以及雙方對美好未來的共同嚮往。即使遠隔重洋，這一願景仍將我們緊密相連。

今年，我有幸在紐約度過了首個“非遺版”春節。我在紐約時報廣場與全球億萬觀眾共同迎接2025年新年，在納斯達克敲響了中國農曆春節的鐘聲，在帝國大廈點亮中國紅。與美國朋友一道，我們欣賞了中國詩意舞蹈《只此青綠》紐約首演，聆聽了費城交響樂團的新春音樂會。剛剛結束赴華巡演的費交音樂家們動情表示，音樂跨越國界，延續雙方半個多世紀的美好情誼。

百歲“飛虎隊”老兵深情地對我說：“中國不會忘記老朋友。讓後代擁有和平美好的生活是大家的共同夢想。”剛從中國訪學歸來的肯恩大學學生興奮地與我分享，與溫州大學同學共同推進的合作專案和在當地餐館品嚐到的“中國味道”。

這些瞬間讓我體會到，人民相親是中美關係的堅韌紐帶。跨越太平洋演出的藝術家，遠赴異國求學的學子，旅途中分享故事的遊客——這些生動具體的人文互動架起了中美理解的橋樑。當兩國人民相互聯結，隔閡與誤解自動化解，信任與理解自然生長。在當今紛繁複雜的國際輿論環境中，中美民間交往時刻提醒我們：中美雙方擁有廣闊共同願景，可以在互學互鑑中和平相處。

我不是科技達人，但為更好了解青年一代，我最近也下載了小紅書和DeepSeek。我時常感動於中美青年互動所流露出的真誠與溫暖。雖身處不同文化，他們卻經歷著生活中相似的酸甜苦辣——為一日三餐奔忙，為畢業後找工作發愁，為日常開銷操心，為萌寵傾注關愛。他們吐槽糟心事、分享小確幸。這不正是“天下一家”的真實寫照嗎？這不正是世界應有的模樣嗎？

中國動畫電影《哪吒2》近日在紐約上映，場場爆滿。哪吒身上所展現出來的堅韌、勇氣和自強精神，具有跨文化的共同價值，激盪中美觀眾的心靈。

當前，世界百年變局加速演進，國際形勢動盪變革。中美共同肩負重要的大國責任。中美關係關乎兩國人民福祉，關乎人類和世界前途。國際社會期盼雙方超越競爭，以建設性方式管理分歧，在關鍵領域加強合作。

中國人民經歷過鴉片戰爭的慘痛教訓，深知毒品造成的巨大危害。中方始終願同美方在相互尊重基礎上開展禁毒合作。應美方請求，中方於2019年正式整類列管芬太尼類物質，是世界上第一個這麼做的國家。近年來，中美禁毒務實合作取得了實實在在的成果。雙方應延續合作勢頭，透過對話推動解決美國國內的芬太尼危機。無端指責、虛假敘事和關稅壁壘不是解決問題的辦法。

在與領區工商界代表交流時，我聽到許多美方企業家表達了對中國長期增長前景及市場價值的堅定信心。美國中國總商會中資會員企業也表示，他們在美投資超過1440億美元，直接增創就業逾23萬。這充分證明兩國經濟深度交融，中美兩國人民都希望深化互利合作。貿易戰、關稅戰沒有贏家，最終受害者只會是企業和消費者。

即使是最親密的朋友也會有分歧。中美之間存在分歧矛盾在所難免，關鍵是透過坦誠溝通加以有效管控，防止戰略誤判，避免衝突對抗。當雙方切實尊重彼此核心利益，就有望實現和平共處、互利共贏。

上個月，習近平主席與特朗普總統通話，就加強各領域溝通與合作、穩定和發展中美關係達成重要共識。國與國的關係歸根結底是人與人的關係。當中美人民更加親近，中美關係的根基就更加牢固。

當今世界充滿挑戰，同時也充滿希望。如今的中美關係，較以往任何時候都更具有全球意義，雙方共同利益也在持續擴大。我對兩國人民的智慧和力量充滿信心。團結一致，我們都能變得更強大；攜手前進，我們才能取得更大成就。我和我的同事將繼續在領區層面推動雙方溝通交流、增進理解互信。我衷心希望美國朋友能與我們相向而行、攜手共進，為兩國及全球民眾創造更多福祉。

On February 26, 2025, the South China Morning Post published an article by Consul General Chen Li: “People-to-people relations are the real glue of China-US ties”. The full text is as follows:

It has been four months since I arrived in New York, and in that time, I have embarked on a journey filled with warmth, discovery and connection. Everywhere I go, I am met with the genuine goodwill of the American people and a shared aspiration for a better future – one that unites us despite the distance between our countries.

This year, I had the privilege of celebrating my first Spring Festival in New York, after the holiday’s inscription to Unesco’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. I joined the New Year countdown in Times Square, rang the market bell at the Nasdaq stock exchange and watched the Empire State Building illuminate in Chinese red.

Joined by American friends, we enjoyed the mesmerising New York debut of a poetic Chinese dance performance at Lincoln Centre and the enchanting Lunar New Year concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra, whose musicians – fresh from a 10-day tour across China – spoke eloquently about how music transcends borders and sustains the over-half-a-century friendship between our two sides.

During my visit to a 100-year-old Flying Tiger veteran, he held my hands and said with deep emotion, “China does not forget its old friends. To live in peace and to give future generations a better life – that is the dream of all people.” At Kean University, I met students who had just returned from China, eager to share stories of collaborating with their peers in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, and reminiscing about the unforgettable “China taste” they experienced at local restaurants.

These moments make me realise the real glue of China-US relations is people. It’s artists performing across the Pacific, students studying abroad and tourists sharing stories that build real understanding. When people connect, walls of misunderstanding start to crumble and trust begins to grow. In a world where headlines often focus on differences, these personal ties serve as a powerful reminder of shared aspirations and the countless ways China and the US can learn from each other.

Though I may not be the most tech-savvy person, I recently joined RedNote and downloaded DeepSeek to better understand the digital world of the younger generation. Scrolling through these apps has become part of my daily routine, and I am inspired by the sincere and heartwarming exchanges I encounter.

Despite growing up on opposite sides of the Pacific and in different cultures, they share the same bittersweetness of everyday life: putting food on the table, finding jobs after graduation, paying bills and caring for their pets. They laugh, complain and celebrate together. This is truly “We Are the World”. Isn’t this how the world should be?

I recently witnessed the growing appreciation for Chinese storytelling in New York with the tremendous success of Ne Zha 2. As audiences filled theatres to watch this animated epic, it became clear that the themes of resilience, courage and self-determination resonate with both Chinese and Americans.

In today’s interconnected world, China and the US share more than just cultural exchanges and economic ties. We share a responsibility to the world. What happens between China and the US ripples beyond our borders. The world looks to us to rise above rivalry, disagree without hostility and collaborate where it truly matters.

The Chinese people, having suffered from the Opium Wars, understand the devastating toll of drug abuse. That’s why China has been engaging in fentanyl control cooperation with the US. At the US’ request, China officially scheduled fentanyl-related substances as a class of drugs in 2019. Since then, anti-narcotics cooperation between the two sides has yielded substantive results. It’s time to build on past good practices and address the fentanyl crisis through mutual trust and open dialogue. Blame games, false narratives and tariffs will never be the solution.

In meetings with American business communities across my consular district, I heard expressions of confidence in China’s long-term growth prospects and the value of the Chinese market. Similarly, Chinese members of the China General Chamber of Commerce, who say their investments in the US exceed US$144 billion and have created over 230,000 jobs, reaffirmed the deep economic interdependence between the two sides.

Despite the complexities of the global landscape, one thing remains clear: the genuine desire of Chinese and Americans to expand mutually beneficial cooperation. Trade or tariff wars have no winners. Businesses and consumers ultimately bear the consequences.

Even close friends have disagreements. Competition between countries is natural, as long as it remains fair and healthy. When both sides adhere to established rules and respect each other’s core interests, competition can drive progress rather than discord, fostering mutual growth instead of conflict.

Last month, President Xi Jinping and then-US president-elect Donald Trump had a phone call. The two leaders reached a common understanding to enhance cooperation in various fields and stabilise relations. This has charted the course for a smooth new start. At their core, state-to-state relations are people-to-people relations. When Chinese and American peoples are closer, the foundation for China-US relations is sturdier.

This is a time fraught with challenges, and also a time demanding hope. Today, the China-US relationship holds global significance like never before. The common interests of the two sides only continue to grow. I have unwavering faith in the strength of our two peoples. Together, we can be stronger. United, we can achieve more. My colleagues and I will continue to foster dialogue and build understanding in our consular district. I sincerely hope our American friends can meet us halfway. When we stand together, there is great potential for what we can accomplish.