To celebrate the coming Chinese Year of the Horse, several tall Clydesdales from the American city of St. Louis, Missouri, will set foot on Chinese soil for the first time. On December 10, a departure ceremony for the “Journey of Success” of these symbols of glory and victory was held in St. Louis.

The Clydesdale is the most magnificent horse in the world. On the U.S. presidential inauguration parade, the U.S. Independence Day parade and other big occasions, the Clydesdale’s presence always adds grandeur to the celebrations.

At the departure ceremony, “Jack”---a Clydesdale leaving for China---was brought to the fore, with a big red Chinese knot tied around his neck. The sponsor of the ceremony asked the guests to give a Chinese name to the horse. Shu Luomei and Sun Jingdong, officials from the Consulate-General of China in Chicago, named the horse “Zhengnengliang” (Positive energy), and Fu Meikai, Global COO of Anheuser-Busch InBev named the horse “Yuanmeng” (Dreams come true).

Fu Meikai told reporters that he was born in 1966, the year of horse. “Back in the days when I worked in China, I always thought about bringing Clydesdales to China. Today, my dream has come true. I have witnessed the rapid development of China and I sincerely hope for the realization of the Chinese dream.” He described the Clydesdale as a “unique representative of cultural exchange between China and U.S.”, and he wished the Chinese people a great success in the year of horse.

Shu Luomei told reporters that sending the Clydesdales to China for the celebration of Chinese New Year is a very meaningful action, representing the American people’s appreciation of Chinese culture. The horses’ arrival will be an impressive moment for the Chinese people.

Francis G. Slay, mayor of St. Louis told reporters that on November 2, 1979, St. Louis and Nanjing had become the first U.S. and China sister cities: “For 34 years, we have carried out all kinds of friendly exchange activities and strengthened our friendly and cooperative relationship.” He added: “The Clydesdale represents optimism, celebration and an expectation of wonderful moments. I am happy to witness the Clydesdale’s first journey to China. I would like to pass the friendship and blessings of the people of Missouri and America to the Chinese, in celebration of the up-coming Chinese year of horse. I wish a safe, healthy, prosperous and peaceful year of horse to the people of China!”

Edited and translated by Kong Defang, People's Daily Online.