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Prominent American and Chinese Business Leaders Celebrate “Resilience and Appreciation” in 2022
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NEW YORK, NY - On Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022, China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (CGCC) and CGCC Foundation, the largest and most impactful non-profit, non-governmental, non-partisan organization representing Chinese investment in the United States, hosted the 2022 Lunar New Year of the Tiger Gala at Cipriani 42nd St in Manhattan and virtually online. With the theme, “Resilience” and “Appreciation," the gala gathered over 300 of the uppermost business leaders, government officials, and representatives from the U.S. and Chinese business communities to celebrate the new year.
Chen XU, Chairman of CGCC and President & CEO of Bank of China U.S.A. began the program with opening remarks, welcoming all CGCC guests and friends to the event, “Two years ago, no one would have imagined the level of disruption to businesses across the globe. During that time, CGCC still made important gains through Resilience and Optimism.” Mr. XU went on to express his gratitude and appreciation towards CGCC’s members and partners for their support to the community and their willingness to step up during these most challenging years.
Governor of New York Kathy Hochul expressed her appreciation for CGCC and CGCC Foundation’s great work towards supporting local communities during the pandemic as well as building bridges between the U.S. and China. “We will be defined by not what we went through, but how we come through the other side. And that’s why working closely with this incredible organization, CGCC, and Chairman Xu and so many others who have lent your talents and resources to build this city into the magnificent place that it is, I want you to know that your investments, your faith, and belief in a better future are well placed.”
Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of Chubb, highlighted the importance of CGCC and its function as a platform to connect the two business communities in his special remarks, “Two-way trade and investment create dependencies which in turn add ballast and act as a stabilizing force between our countries.”
During his keynote speech, Gang QIN, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the United States of America, congratulated the honorees and emphasized that “the business community should continue to serve as a bridge and a bond between our two countries, to cultivate the objective and rational view of both sides and tell the story of cooperation.”
Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, New York, spoke up for the AAPI communities in New York City and called for understanding and growth. “CGCC went through a horrific period when the mere factor of COVID was shamefully attached to the Chinese people. We are so much better as a city, our potent secret weapon against COVID might be vaccines, but our weapon against hate is our diversity.”
The award ceremony portion of the night began with Ambassador Ping HUANG, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York who presented The Principle Award to Ray Dalio, Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Bridgewater Associates, for exemplifying the principles of cooperation and collaboration, and for breaking new ground in his company’s investments and strengthening business ties between the U.S. and China. “I hope that you will join me in speaking up to help mutual understanding and improve relationships between our two countries because we are all here for that purpose and we all understand, that can help us to have a better future,” Mr. Dalio said while accepting his award.
During the event, David Schner, President and Executive Editor of LEADERS Magazine sat down with Mr. Dalio for a special fireside chat where they discussed Mr. Dalio’s long history of friendship with China, his philanthropic work, and his new book Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order.
This year’s Outstanding Economic Development Partner of the Year Award honored the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) for their efforts and dedication to sustainable growth and a strong commitment to long-term U.S.- China economic cooperation. Suosheng LI, Vice-Chair of CGCC and General Manager of China Construction Bank NY, presented the award to Kurt Foreman, President & CEO of Delaware Prosperity Partnership. John Carney, Governor of Delaware and Co-chair of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, joined the gala virtually to offer his words of congratulations to DPP, recognizing the organization's work in encouraging investment and business partnerships of Chinese entrepreneurs in the state of Delaware.
The Outstanding Achievement Award – Energy & Infrastructure was awarded to Surge Energy America for the company's unyielding spirit and profound achievements in the energy industry. Jianyu ZHANG, Vice-Chair of CGCC and President and CEO of ICBC (USA) presented the award to Linhua GUAN, CEO of Surge Energy America.
During a special appreciation presentation, Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and partnership of Chinese companies at the local level. In this same spirit, CGCC recognized Ning YUAN, Vice-Chair of CGCC and Chairman & President of China Construction America, and Chen XU, Chairman of CGCC, President & CEO of Bank of China U.S.A. for their unconditional support, guidance, and encouragement throughout the years.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Steven Xu TAN, Vice-Chair of CGCC and President of China Telecom Americas. “Cultural exchange, communication, and collaboration are the vaccines that prevent the scourge of suspicion, hostility, and conflicts. We are the antibodies, fighting for a trusting and compassionate world, at a time when calls for isolation seemed epidemic.”
The gala was emceed by Peter Reisman, Co-Chair of the CGCC Government and Public Relations Committee, Chief Communications Officer & Managing Director at Bank of China U.S.A.
Watch the Full Program:
For more information about the awards and honorees, please visit: https://www.cgccusa.org/en/cgcc-announces-honorees-ahead-of-2022-lunar-new-year-gala/
Special thanks:
Bank of China U.S.A., Ernst & Young LLP, Las Vegas Sands, Bridgewater Associates & Dalio Philanthropies, Shineharmony Holdings, Inc., China Construction America, China Telecom (Americas) Corporation, JP Morgan, SL Green, China Mobile International (USA) Inc., State Grid US Representative Office, Citigroup, Inc., The Moinian Group, JN fibers, Inc, The Starr Foundation, Vornado Realty L.P, Chubb Group, ICBC, LEADERS Magazine, China Investment Corp New York Representative Office, Gemdale USA Corporation, CICC US Securities, Inc., China Unicom Americas, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, China Merchants Bank New York Branch, Loop Capital, China Construction Bank New York Branch, SCG America, Delta, Moody’s Corporation, Vanke (USA) Holding , Morgan Stanley, Greenland USA, Tiffany, Boeing, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC, Hongdou New York Inc., Delaware Prosperity Partnership, Eccom Network (USA), Inc., Viasat, COSCO SHIPPING (North America) Inc., Agricultural Bank of China New York Branch, Bank of Communications New York Branch, SWOOP, Angela Chen, China Disabled Persons' Federation
Media Contact: Sherry Yuan Qu, 646-928-5122, yuan.qu@cgccusa.org