February 20th, 2019, China General Chamber of Commerce – Los Angeles chapter held their 2019 Annual Gala at the Los Angeles Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
Ambassador Zhang Ping, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles delivered keynote speech. David J. Firestein, President and CEO of George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations gave remarks. Kevin de León, California Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus moderated Women Leadership Dialogue focusing on Foreign Investment & Innovation in Los Angeles. Over 350 business and community leaders from China and the Los Angeles area attended the Gala.
Chairman of CGCC-Los Angeles, Vice Chairman of CGCC, President of AVIC International USA, Xuming Zhang delivered welcome remarks. He noted, “as 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of U.S.-China relations, this year’s annual gala also has a special significance. We will continue the mission of creating value, generating economic growth and enhancing cooperation between U.S. and Chinese business communities and are committed to acting as a bridge to promote trade and mutual understanding among Chinese and U.S. businesses, stakeholders and communities. We look forward to working with you to make further positive impact.”
Ambassador Zhang Ping, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles delivered keynote remarks. He pointed out that California enjoys close economic and trade ties with China, “The wellbeing of China-US relations will have a direct impact on the economic wellbeing of the state. China is California’s largest trading partner, the third largest export market for goods, and the fourth largest export market for service. Over the last decades or so, California has attracted nearly 30 billion USD of Chinese investment, including companies like BYD, International Vitamin Corporation, Greenland and many others. We need to maintain the robust momentum of sub national exchange and cooperation that is going on between China and Southern California by further strengthening the economic and trade ties and people to people connections.” Ambassador Zhang Ping spoke highly of CGCC-Los Angeles’ role in serving its members, fulfilling its social responsibilities and promoting China-US business cooperation.
David J. Firestein, President and CEO of George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations summarizes the importance of US-China relations in skilled Chinese. He said that the good relations between China and the United States would not only benefit the people of the two countries, but also benefit the people around the world.
Moderated by Kevin de Leon, California Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus, the Women Leadership Dialogue brought together Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metrolink, Hina Sheikh, Economic and Workforce, Development Deputy Los Angeles County’s First District and Stella Li, President of BYD Motors LLC to share insights on foreign investment & innovation in Los Angeles.
Four awards were presented to recognize CGCC-Los Angeles member companies’ and partners’s significant contributions.
Chairman of CGCC-Los Angeles, Vice Chairman of CGCC, President of AVIC International USA, Xuming Zhang presented Outstanding Member Company Award of The Year to CHTC (USA) Inc, China Mobile International (USA), CCIC North America Inc and China Telecom (Americas) Corporation.
Ambassador Zhang Ping, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles together with Michael Antonovich, former Los Angeles County Supervisor presented the US China CooperationContribution & Impact Award to AVIC Intl USA, Bank of China LosAngeles Branch, BYD Motors LLC, International Vitamin Corporation and Minmetals Inc.(L.A.).
Anna Mouradian, Chief Deputy to Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger presented Community Excellence Award Of The Year to ZPMC North America Inc, Greenland USA, Hainan Airlines, Aland/IVC, ICBC USA, COMAC America, China Unicom (Americas) Operations Ltd and Shunya International.
AMPA at Hamilton High School and The Huntington Library were presented with Excellent Partner of The Year for their contributions.
Highly Awarded Hamilton High Jazz Ensemble and dancers from Jenny An Dance Studio brought wonderful performances.
CGCC-LA extends great thanks to China Eastern Airlines for donating one round trip first class US-China air ticket and Tours for fun for donating an Alaska Aurora Tour Package for raffle.
CGCC-Los Angeles presents much gratitude to Mr. Frank Kong, the 74th generation descendant of Confucius who donated his Chinese Calligraphy piece to support CGCC-Los Angeles’ mission. Congratulations to Mr. Chunli Zhao, President & CEO of CHTC (USA),INC. on winning the auction.
A Networking reception and board group photo were held before the gala.
