Tibetan compatriots welcome President Xi’s visit with golden khatas 

　　Tibetan compatriots gathered alongside overseas Chinese on both sides of the road to warmly welcome President Xi Jinping’s visit. 

Dechen, president of the Tibetan Association of North American, said, “I came all the way from New York specifically to welcome President Xi Jinping. We were already here when President Xi arrived yesterday, September 23. We started waiting by the roadside at 9:30 a.m. and stayed until 7:30 p.m. We didn’t feel tired at all. We were so happy when we saw the presidential motorcade pass by.” 

Dechen joins the crowds welcoming President Xi along the route. 

Dechen said that his organization organizes groups every year to take people back to Xizang for visits. Many people became emotional as soon as they set foot on their homeland. “The changes in my hometown have been tremendous. The cities are thriving, and people are living increasingly prosperous lives. I left my hometown in 1994, and when I went back in 2013, I couldn’t even find my own home. The place has really developed so much.” 

　　Group photo of representatives of the North American Tibetan Association and the US Tibetan Association 

　　Editor：Bella Wu