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."