On November 2, Mr. Zhao Weiping, Chinese Consul General to Chicago, attended the luncheon hosted by US 100,000 Strong Foundation in Chicago. Ms. Carola McGiffert, President of the Foundation, Mr. Richard M. Daley, former Mayor of Chicago and more than 30 representatives of Chinese and American companies including Mr. Ni Pin, President of Wanxiang America, Inc., attended the event.

Consul General Zhao pointed out in his remarks that the Chinese side warmly welcomes the announcement by President Obama to expand 100,000 Strong Initiative during President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to the US. As President Xi pointed out, “state-to-state relations ultimately rely on the support of the people”. Talking about the future of the bilateral relationship, nothing could be more important than investing in the young generations of China and the US. Consul General Zhao commended Wanxiang Group for its great support to the 100,000 Strong Initiative and encouraged Chinese companies based in America’s Midwest to play an even more active role in contributing their part to this initiative.

In November 2011, during his visit to China, President Obama announced the 100,000 Strong Initiative with the goal of sending 100,000 American college students to study in China in 4 year’s time. In September 2015, during President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US, President Obama announced that the US are starting a new initiative called “1 Million Strong” to encourage 1 million American students to learn Mandarin Chinese over the next five years.