---
title: Celebrating 2021 “New Beginnings” Lunar New Year of the Ox with China General Chamber of Commerce - USA
description: On Wednesday, February 10th, China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (“CGCC”) and CGCC Foundation, the largest independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization representing Chinese investments i
---

[Past Events ](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/past-events)

# [Celebrating 2021 “New Beginnings” Lunar New Year of the Ox with China General Chamber of Commerce - USA](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/past-events/celebrating-2021-new-beginnings-lunar-new-year-of-the-ox-with-china-general-chamber-of-commerce-usa)

 Written by [CGCC](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/past-events/author/cgcc) | Feb 11, 2021 3:20:13 AM

 On Wednesday, February 10th, China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (“CGCC”) and CGCC Foundation, the largest independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization representing Chinese investments in the United States, hosted its 2021 Lunar New Year of the Ox Gala. With the theme “New Beginnings,” the virtual gala, streamed on both the CGCC official gala website and iQIYI International, engaged thousands of individuals—from CGCC member organizations to those interested in the U.S.-China business community—to not only honor U.S.-China business leaders that went above and beyond in responding to the tumultuous events of 2020, but also to celebrate the Lunar New Year together and look forward to what 2021 will bring for the U.S.-China business community.

The gala began with new year greetings from prominent  
 leaders and members of the U.S.-China business community, including Former U.S.  
 Ambassadors to China Max Baucus and Terry Branstad, CEO of the U.S. Association  
 of Former Members of Congress (FMC) Pete M. Weichlein, CEO of the U.S. Soybean  
 Export Council (USSEC) Jim Sutter, Regional Director of USSEC Greater China  
 Xiaoping ZHANG, and business executives from Chinese companies in the U.S.

XU Chen, Chairman of CGCC and President & CEO of Bank of  
 China U.S.A. welcomed all CGCC members and friends in the opening remarks. He  
 said, “The ‘ox’ is a symbol of honesty, reliability, and perseverance in Asian  
 cultures. This year, we are grateful that we are still able to connect online  
 for this special Gala, celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Ox, strengthening  
 our partnerships, and making a toast to all the exciting ‘new beginnings’ that  
 2021 brings.”

Three awards were presented during the gala to recognize  
 individuals and companies for their dedication towards strengthening U.S.-China  
 business relationships, their unique impact on improving industry standards and  
 the international business environment, and their commitment to corporate  
 social responsibility and community services.

**Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and CEO  
 of Chubb, **was honored  
 with the Goodwill Ambassador for China-U.S. Exchange Award for his keen  
 discernment and strategic commitment towards a constructive China-U.S.  
 relationship. As an industry leader with over 40 years of experience, Mr.  
 Greenberg has long promoted active U.S.- China exchange at all levels and  
 advocated for productive business collaboration between the nations. “Thank you  
 for honoring me with your Goodwill Ambassador award. We are in an important and  
 evolving period in the relationship between the United States and China, the  
 most important bilateral relationship in the world. One of the most important  
 priorities, not just in the interest of our countries but for the entire world,  
 is to restore active and thoughtful diplomatic engagement between our two  
 nations based upon reality and not wishful thinking.  We should both want to find a way to  
 cooperate while we compete, and where necessary defend our respective interests  
 in a manner that avoids conflict,” Mr. Greenberg expressed during the Gala.

This year’s **International  
 Leadership Award **was awarded to **Haijiang  
 ZHOU, Chairman and CEO of HOdo Group**, for his significant contributions to  
 promote high industry standards, improve the business environment, and fulfill  
 social responsibilities. “Facing the increasingly fierce global competition, I  
 believe that China's private sector needs to produce and cultivate world-class  
 companies with strong competitiveness, large market value, comprehensive global  
 integration, and positive social impact,” Mr. Zhou stated when talking about  
 engaging in the global market and the international competition.

Steven Xu TAN, Vice Chairman of CGCC and President of China  
 Telecom Americas, spoke highly of the Chamber and its member companies’  
 philanthropic commitment and efforts in his special remarks. He believed that  
 “Even though 2020 was a tumultuous and devastating year, CGCC Foundation has  
 been proven to be an irreplaceable force for good by connecting our members  
 with the local communities. This is the reason why CGCC members continue  
 to  support the foundation year after  
 year.”

As the U.S. and China enter a new chapter of economic and  
 trade cooperation, CGCC is sincerely grateful for the inspiring remarks from  
 Stephen Schwarzman, Founder and CEO of Blackstone, ZHANG Jiantao, Vice  
 President of Coca-Cola Greater China and Mongolia, Marc Allen, CSO of The  
 Boeing Company, and Mark LEUNG, CEO of JPMorgan China, who  expressed their utmost optimism for a  
 constructive and sustainable relationship between the two largest economies in  
 the world.

The Chamber also presented 15 Chinese member companies with the **Outstanding Community Contribution Award** for their dedicated work with CGCC and CGCC Foundation in leveraging their resources, expertise, and talents to make a positive impact in assisting customers, employees, and the larger community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those honored include (listed in alphabetical order): Bank of China USA, BYD Motors LLC, China Construction America, China Mobile International (USA) Inc., China Telecom (Americas) Corporation, China International Capital Corporation, Fosun Foundation, Fuyao Glass America, Inc., Hainan Airlines, Hubei Baiyunbian Group, ICBC U.S. Region, SANY America, SF International, State Grid US, and Wanxiang America Corporation. CGCC expresses its utmost appreciation to these outstanding community contributors, as they continue to not only confront the economic and health challenges of 2020, but also help pave the way for new beginnings in 2021.

The award program concluded with best wishes and a joyful  
 introduction to the Lunar New Year and its customs and traditions from Kate  
 Barton, Global Vice Chair of EY, and Shau ZHANG, Partner & EY Americas  
 Leader of China Overseas Investment.

The gala was emceed by Peter Reisman, Co-Chair of the CGCC  
 Government and Public Relations Committee.

For more information about the awards and awardees, and to  
 rewatch the event, please visit [CGCC’s 2021 Gala website](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/cgcc-annual-gala-2021/?hsLang=en).

Special thanks to EY, Bank of China, China Telecom (Americas), HOdo Group, Citi, Chubb, State Grid, JP Morgan, Agricultural Bank of China, China Mobile, SL Green, Gemdale, Marsh & McLennan, KKR, General Atlantic, Hikvision, China Investment Corporation, China Merchants Bank, CBRE, China International Capital Corporation, China Unicom, Starr, China Construction Bank, The Starr Foundation, and everyone that supported the organization's efforts and made this evening possible.

**About CGCC**

Founded  
 in 2005, China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (“CGCC”) has been recognized  
 as the largest and most influential non-profit organization representing  
 Chinese enterprises in the U.S. As an independent, non-partisan,  
 non-governmental chamber of commerce, CGCC provides a broad range of programs,  
 services, and resources to over a thousand multinational members across the  
 U.S., with a mission to create value, generate economic growth, and enhance  
 cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese business communities.

**About CGCC Foundation**

Established  
 in 2014, CGCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The mission of  
 CGCC Foundation is to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between the  
 United States and China through research, public charity and engagement in  
 economic, cultural and social exchanges.

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