CGCC-Chicago 2018 Annual Gala
On September 19th, 2018, China General Chamber of Commerce – U.S.A Chicago ( CGCC-Chicago), in partnership with the World Business Chicago, hosted the CGCC-Chicago 2018 Annual Gala “Connection” in the city of Chicago, with the aim to promote the business and trade developments and cultural communications between United States and China. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the United States of America Cui Tiankai, and Ambassador of the United States to the People’s Republic of China Terry Branstad sent their congratulation letters to the annual gala. Held at Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, this whole-day event consisted of 10 sessions – Registration and Grand Opening Ceremony, “Invest in the Midwest” Business Forum, the release of “2018 Business Survey Report: Chinese Enterprises in the United States” by CGCC, Investment Environment of the Midwest and Business Showcase, Speech of “China’s Reform and Opening-up: Achievements and Implications” by Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Media Interviews of the Invited Experts from Chinese Academy of Social and Sciences, Governors, Congressmen, Senators and Chinese CEOs Sofa Forum, Gala Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony.
The President of Chinese Academy of Social and Sciences Mr. Xie Fuzhan, Governor of the State of Kansas Jeff Colyer, former United States Treasury Secretary and Chairman of Paulson Institute Henry Paulson, former Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley, CEO of World Business Chicago Andrea Zopp, President of Wanxiang Group Ni Pin attended and delivered remarks at the event. Commercial and business affairs officials from the Chinese Embassy in the U. S., business officials from U. S. federal government, Midwest state governments and the city government of Chicago, as well as 3 mayors’ delegation from different cities of Guangdong Province of China, 40 representatives from 8 cities of China and a delegation of more than 300 Chinese business leaders participated this annual gala.
The opening ceremony of the gala began with the opening remarks from the Chairman of CGCC-Chicago and Managing Director of Hainan Airlines North America Pubin Liang, and the Director of Global Strategic Initiatives of World Business of Chicago Andrew Spinelli. The representatives from World Business Chicago, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Grant Thornton, CGCC-USA gave keynote presentations respectively on topics of “Chicago Gateway Agreement with 8 Cities in China”, “Foreign Direct Investment Data”, “ Proven Strategies for Merge & Acquisition Life Cycle Approach – Culture, Human Resources and Information Technology” and “ Chinese Enterprises in the U.S : The Path Forward” at the Business Forum of “Investment in the Midwest”.
It was particularly noteworthy that, as one the two special features of this year’s Annual Gala, CGCC-Chicago was honored to invite the experts of think tank from Chinese Academy of Social and Sciences to hold the press conference with the American and Chinese media, discussing the strategic corporation and cultural communication between U.S and China. Meanwhile, the CGCC-Chicago also invited some of start-up companies, which mainly founded by Chinese people in the U. S., to set up their booths at the event, offering those companies the great opportunities to communicate with government officials and business leaders from the U. S. and China, as well as the chance to gain more and more public recognition.
The gala dinner was hosted by the anchor of ABC 7 Judy Hsu, Chairman of CGCC-Chicago Pubin Liang, President of Chinese Academy of Social and Sciences Xie Fuzhan, Governor of the State of Kansas Jeff Colyer, former United States Treasury Secretary and Chairman of Paulson Institute Henry Paulson gave welcome speeches to all the guests, and thanked their great supports along the way.
Three Chinese and U.S. companies were awarded at the gala for the recognition of their excellent performances in business developments and corporate social responsibilities. The three companies are CRRC Sifang America, Inc., CW Bearing USA, Inc. and Bank of China. At the highlight of this year’s Gala Dinner, the Vice President of Community Impact of Greater Chicago Food Depository Nicole Robinson announced the launch of 2018 – 2019 CGCC-Chicago Social Responsibility Review and Prospect Volunteering Program at the end of the dinner.
China General Chamber of Commerce – U.S.A. (CGCC) is a nonprofit organization representing Chinese enterprises in the United States. CGCC-Chicago covers nine states in the Midwest – Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. During the period of 2000 to 2017, Chinese companies have invested over $20.3 billion with over 45,000 local jobs in the above nine states.
