A rodeo and nurse by profession, Cowgirl Kitty Van Dries was a part of the welcoming ceremony of then Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in Texas, in 1979.

She and her sister carried the U.S. and Chinese flag. Her sister got the opportunity to present a cowboy hat to Deng Xiaoping as a welcome gift.

43 years later, Kitty gets the opportunity. This time, she welcomed the Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Qin Gang, with a cowboy hat. 

Emphasizing on the U.S.-China relations, Kitty believe one step in the right direction is all we need. "I know that our relationship with China right now is struggling. And I hope that, you know, this is just one step in the right direction to get it back to where it needs to be a better relationship," said Kitty. 

Ambassador Qin said he was honored at receiving the hat and the warm welcome by Texas. 

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