Share this article
Prominent American and Chinese Business Leaders and Government Officials Joined CGCC to Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Pig and Continued Development of Chinese Investment in the United States.
On Monday, January 7, 2019, China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (CGCC) – the largest nonprofit organization representing Chinese enterprises in the United States – hosted CGCC Chinese Lunar New Year of the Pig Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York. Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States sent a letter of congratulations. Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the United States delivered a keynote speech.
Three awards were presented to four recipients at the gala this year to acknowledge their contribution to the improvement of China-U.S. economic relations. Maurice R. Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of C.V. Starr & Co. Inc. was honored with the “Goodwill Ambassador for China-U.S. Exchange Award”. Wang Xiangming, President of China State Construction Engineering Corp (CSCEC) received the "International Leadership Award". Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and YCI Methanol One, LLC. were presented with the “Outstanding FDI Partnership” award. This Annual Gala brought together over 450 uppermost business leaders, government officials, and representatives from other organizations in China and the U.S. in support of CGCC’s growth and its expanding partnerships.
Xu Chen, Chairman of CGCC, President and CEO of Bank of China USA, opened the speaking program. In the welcome remarks, Xu Chen expressed appreciation to CGCC members and friends in supporting its growth, especially under the recent conjuncture of events that bewildered most people about the future of China-U.S. bilateral relations. He said, “Despite the China-U.S. economic and trade frictions over the last year, our presence here is a cherishable gesture and a token of hope. Complex situations and market uncertainties didn’t make any dent in our commitment, dialogues and our bilateral investment.” Later in his remarks, he stated CGCC is committed to playing a more important role with expanded membership and greater influence.
Ambassador Cui Tiankai was the keynote speaker of the Gala. He opened his speech by emphasizing the indispensable role that CGCC plays in maintaining and facilitating the economic and trade relations and people-to-people ties between the two great countries. In his speech, he conveyed the message that “China will continue to seek people-centered development, sustainable development, and peaceful development”, and continue to carry out further reform and opening up. He reiterated China’s commitment to working with the United States to build a strong and stable relationship, taking consideration that profound changes have taken place in both countries and in the world. He said, “China remains committed to expanding our cooperation with the United States on the basis of mutual benefits, managing our differences on the basis of mutual respect, and developing the relationship with the United States based on closer cooperation, coordination, and greater stability.” He encouraged China-U.S. business communities to remain open and cool-headed despite now in some corners of the world, all forms of barriers have been raised.
Maurice R. Greenberg was then honored with the “Goodwill Ambassador for China-U.S. Exchange Award” for his wisdom, leadership, and devotion that uniquely shaped the China-U.S. business relationship. In receiving his award, Greenberg said, “I am proud to be here in receiving this award and happy to see that started from many years ago, Chinese companies have created jobs and opportunities in our country, just as the American companies and our own company do in China.” Mr. Greenberg shared his confidence that the downs of the bilateral relations will disappear, and ups will survive.
Mr. Wang Xiangming was honored with the “International Leadership Award” for his significant contribution to promote high industry standards, improve the business environment, and fulfill outstanding corporate social responsibilities. Wang Xiangming addressed in his short remarks, “On behalf of CSCEC, it is my honor to receive this important International Leadership Award presented by CGCC. While the bilateral relationship is undergoing profound changes, we need many more bridges such as CGCC between the two nations. We need to make full use of CGCC as a platform where business leaders from the two countries gather together to think outside of the box and to make constructive contributions to bolster prosperity and reciprocity in China-U.S. economic cooperation.”
Opening the second half of the evening program, CGTN's Mike Walter, the emcee if the night, read the letter of congratulations sent to CGCC by Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the U.S. In his letter, President Carter wrote, “At a time when the relationship is encountering unique and unprecedented challenges, programs like yours are crucial to restoring it while bolstering economic, educational, and cultural ties. By bringing people together in the spirit of friendship and cooperation, your program is an important step in realigning the relationship between our two countries and citizens into a positive force.”
As a member representative from the Midwest, Jim Reynolds, Chairman & CEO of Loop Capital opened the second half of the evening program. He shared his experiences of doing business with partners from Chinese companies and said, “they [Chinese entrepreneurs] are the most patient business people I have ever met. They are the most relationship-centered entrepreneurs I have had the privilege to work with. I think those traits should be the first and foremost in the minds of all the people here doing business.”
Tiffany Shackelford, Chief Strategic Officer of National Governors Association (NGA), delivered remarks acknowledging the critical partnership forged between NGA and CGCC, especially in its recently launched NGA Global Program. Representing the voice of the nation’s governors, she said, “the relationship between the states and China has never been more important in our history.”
The “Outstanding FDI Partnership Award" was then presented to Louisiana Economic Development and YCI Methanol One, LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of Shandong Yuhuang Chemical Group, in recognizing the $1.85 billion greenfield investment in St. James Parish, Louisiana. Charlie Yao, CEO of YCI Methanol One, LLC and Don Pierson, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, received the awards and delivered remarks respectively.
In his remarks, Mr. Yao emphasized YCI Methanol One’s commitment to further developing local business partnerships and engaging in local communities. He said, “I take this award as a proof of our success today and also as an encouragement for us to doing more.”
Mr. Pierson then added, “At a time when our economies and technologies are advancing, there is more diversity in this market. We [governments and corporations] need to build on that foundation of trust, support, and partnership.”.
Before the end of the program, Qu Guangci, Founder of X+Q Art was presented with a certificate honoring him as "CGCC Honorary Chief Creative Director" by CGCC Vice Chairmen Xiao Yuqiang and Bo Wei.
The evening began with a group of seven students from the International Academy of New York (IANY) singing and dancing to Chinese New Year songs.
The gala was emceed by the Principal Anchor of CGTN-America, five-time Emmy Award winner Mike Walter.
As CGCC’s flagship event, the Gala is a magnificent event with old and new friends coming together to celebrate CGCC's successes, prepare for new challenges, and honor those sent to the frontline of business and innovation. Such gathering is a time to expand collaboration and build trust in China-U.S. business communities.
For more information about the awards and awardees, see click the link below:
https://www.cgccusa.org/en/2019-awardees-announced-ahead-of-cgccs-annual-gala/
Special Thanks:
Bank of China USA, HSBC, Related Companies, EY, Starr Insurance Companies, China Construction America, CBRE, SL Green Realty Corp., Gemdale USA Corporation, China Telecom Americas, Fosun International Limited, Citi Group, China Merchants Bank New York Branch, State Grid US Representative Office, YCI Methanol One LLC., Huawei Technologies USA, Agricultural Bank of China New York Branch, China-U.S. SkyClub, US Management Committee, ICBC, J.P. Morgan, The Moinian Group, China Mobile International (USA) Inc., China Construction Bank New York Branch, Hikvision USA Inc., Hongkun USA Real Estate Development LLC, Cheerland Investment Group Ltd, Blank Rome LLP, China Southern Airlines Company Limited New York Office, SCG America Group Inc., China Unicom Americas, Greenland USA, Loop Capital, Boeing International, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, China Investment Corp New York Representative Office, Hainan Airlines, CICC US Securities, Inc., Waitex Group of Companies, The Starr Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Inc., X + Q Art, Plaza Construction, International Academy of New York, Baosteel America Inc., Newmark Knight Frank, Sansheng Investment Inc. U.S.A., Lennar International, Huawei Technologies USA, Eccom Network (USA), Inc.
About CGCC:
Founded in 2005, the 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. Its membership consists of more than 1,500 Chinese and U.S. companies, 54 of which are ranked on the 2018 Fortune Global 500. CGCC's mission is to create value, generate economic growth, and enhance cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese business communities. CGCC conducts extensive research and provides a broad range of programs, services, and resources to its members and key stakeholders in an effort to foster the mutual understanding, trust, and engagement between China and the U.S. As of 2018, CGCC’s Chinese member companies have cumulatively invested over $120 billion, employ more than 200,000 people, and support over one million jobs throughout the United States.
CGCC is a national organization and includes CGCC-New York (CGCCUSA-HQ), CGCC-Chicago, CGCC-Houston, CGCC-Los Angeles, CGCC-San Francisco and CGCC-Washington D.C.
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.
Find event photos here.
Click here for video coverage.
Read official press coverage of the event here