"Old friend" is a common phrase China’s communist party uses as a tribute to foreigners considered helpful to their interests. It’s also an expression of nostalgia for longtime companions or acquaintances.
Is this real or did they just made it up to make China sound more mysterious and different lol
Westoids: "The Chinese are deceptive and inscrutable and you can't take them at their word."
Also Westoids: "Of course I said the exact opposite of what I actually meant. Don't you understand sarcasm?!"