CA-China Business Forum Highlights Economic Cooperation

This week, in a significant stride toward rebuilding bilateral economic cooperation, the China-California Business Forum was held in-person in Los Angeles for the first time since 2019. The forum was  jointly hosted by the Bay Area Council, the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, and the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Machinery and Electronics (CCCME). Prior to the pandemic, the event had become a cornerstone of subnational relations between California and eight of the largest provincial economies in China. 
 
The forum is an extension of Governor Jerry Brown’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) inked in 2013, aimed at propelling commercial and climate change cooperation. Notably, Vice Governor Fang Wei of Jiangsu Province, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis of California, and LA Deputy Mayor Erin Romaghim delivered keynote speeches, amplifying the significance of the occasion. Council CEO Jim Wunderman and Executive Committee member Kevin Xu, CEO of MEBO International, along with Consul General from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun also addressed the attendees to welcome them back after the three-year gap.
 
Expanding on the success of the forum, a distinguished delegation comprising provincial officials and business leaders from China, visited the Bay Area Council’s office on May 24. This addition to their schedule in the United States provided an opportunity for the Council to promote investments in the Bay Area and build relationships between the delegation and our members. With the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum and the China International Import Expo still ahead of us, 2023 is shaping up to be a rebound year for business between California and China.