On March 8, 2019, the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago held a reception to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Consul General Zhao Jian, Illinois Rep. Danny Davis, Secretary of State Jesse White, former Federal Senator Mark Kirk, State Senator Laura Ellman and Rep. Theresa Marseille, Marcus Evans, Anne Stava-Murray, Brooke E. Knobel, Director of the Northern District, and former Governor of Missouri, Bob Holden, Kansas Former state governor Jeff Colyer, Cook County Governor Toni Preckwinkle, Chicago City Merchants Director Andrea Zopp, Tourism Director David Whitaker, Chicago University President Robert J. Zimmer, Illinois University of Technology President Alan W. Cramb, DePaul University President A. Gabriel Esteban, and Missouri State University Vice President James Baker Ms. Sarah Lande, a famous friend of Iowa, a representative of Chinese companies in the Chicago-China Chamber of Commerce, local government, business, culture, education and foreigners in Chicago More than 200 people including the head of the Colombian delegation and overseas Chinese representatives attended the reception. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel sent a congratulatory letter to Consul General Zhao Jian.