(2023.11.20)

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends:

Good evening!

First of all, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to CGCC-Chicago on the success of its 2023 gala dinner. Just a few days ago, President Xi Jinping and President Biden held a historic summit meeting in San Francisco. The two presidents had comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on issues of common interest, and further discussed the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other. Together, they embraced a future-oriented San Francisco vision, and pointed the way and drew a blueprint for the healthy, steady and sustained growth of China-US relations. Today, the business leaders and friends from all walks of life in the Midwest come together at this event for the single purpose of further promoting China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation and friendship between our two peoples. All these give us more confidence in the future of the friendly exchange and mutually-beneficial cooperation between our two sides.

The confidence comes from the great opportunities brought by China’s high-quality development. This year, China’s economy has been steadily recovering and made solid progress in high-quality development. Its growth rate is among the highest in the world’s major economies, and it continues to contribute more than one third of global economic growth every year. China’s economy enjoys strong resilience, ample potential and robust dynamism and the fundamentals sustaining China’s sound economic growth in the long run remain unchanged. We will continue to bring new opportunities to all countries around the world, including the United States.

The confidence comes from the strategic guidance of our two heads of state on China-US relations, especially China's resolute determination to promote a healthy and stable development of China-US relations. President Xi Jinping pointed out that under current circumstances, the common interests between China and the United States have increased, not decreased. Despite the different history, culture and social system, it is not an option for China and the United States to turn their back on each other. Conflict and confrontation would only bring unbearable consequence for both sides. The right approach is to respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation. The two heads of state agreed to step up high-level interactions, advance regular consultations in areas like commerce, economy, finance, etc., significantly increase scheduled passenger flights, and expand people to people exchanges. San Francisco meeting should be a new starting point. As long as both sides stick to the right historical choice, and find the right way to get along, we will be able to open up a bright future for China-US relations.

The confidence comes from the huge support for China-US relations from all walks of life in our two countries. For a long time, local governments, business community and the people in the Midwest have vigorously participated in and contributed to China-US cooperation and exchanges. Great devotion and contribution by our long-term old friends in the midwest like Ambassador Branstad, Governor Holden, Governor Snyder, and Ambassador Quinn deserve our great respect. This year, World Business Chicago, United States Heartland China Association, and CGCC-Chicago have successfully organized visits to China by delegations of business leaders and local mayors. Many enterprises and business leaders are working assiduously on promoting practical and win-win cooperation between China and the US. The insights and vision of Mayor Johnson, Ambassador Xie Feng, Ambassador Baucus, and other distinguished guests attending today’s event on strengthening China-US exchanges and cooperation are really encouraging and inspiring. As President Xi Jinping pointed out, the foundation of China-US relationship lies in our societies, its hope is in the people, and its vitality comes from exchanges at sub-national levels. Our two peoples running towards each other can create a bright future for China-US relations.

Let us take San Francisco as a new starting point, and follow upon and implement the new vision of our two leaders and inject new impetus to the development of China-US relations, create more mutually beneficial and win-win stories of economic and trade cooperation between our two countries.

Thank you!