LOS ANGELES, April 26 -- The 2019 China-California Business Forum will be held in June in Los Angeles in the U.S. state of California.
The forum will be held to promote California's trade and investment cooperation with Chinese provinces, and encourage business leaders from California and China to explore and develop business opportunities.
A delegation of about 150 senior Chinese business leaders from nine provincial regions is expected to join the forum to be held on June 5 in downtown Los Angeles, according to a statement released by the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angles on Friday.
Among them, a group from Guangdong Province, the Guest Province of Honor of this year's forum, will highlight business opportunities in the newly established Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The forum is jointly organized by the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, Los Angeles Regional Export Council, China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products and the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, in partnership with Milken Institute, Bay Area Council, China General Chamber of Commerce Los Angeles, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province.
Former California Governor Jerry Brown had participated in all three previous events since 2016, which attracted more than 1,200 business executives.
"Sub-national cooperation is the foundation of China-U.S. economic and trade relations. The China-California Business Forum plays an important role in promoting this cooperation," said Zhang Ping, Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles.
"The Forum is a joint effort by both sides, not only brings business opportunities, but also enhances China-U.S. sub-national exchanges and cooperation. I look forward to welcoming more Chinese and California business leaders at the event," he added.
"California was the number one recipient of foreign direct investment from China, totaling more than 16 billion U.S. dollars in 2017. We are also home to a vibrant Chinese American community," said Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California.
"This forum will build on our strong business and cultural ties, strengthen our international partnerships, and grow our economy," she noted.
China has become California's largest trading partner and third largest export destination for goods. Among the U.S. states, California has attracted the most Chinese investment and tourists and has the biggest number of international students from China.
"The China-California Business Forum over the past few years has become a premier platform for California and Chinese companies to meet and create new business opportunities," said Brian Peck, Chairman of the Los Angeles Regional Export Council.
"During this time of uncertainty for global trade, this year's Forum is especially important in maintaining the vibrant and mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship between California and China and their respective businesses," said Peck.
Liu Chun, vice president of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, attached great importance to the event.
"Over the past few years, as it has become an important platform of facilitating more exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Californian businesses, the Forum has been fully recognized by Chinese enterprises and has become an annual focus of China-U.S. sub-national cooperation."