Universal City, CA—“My mission is to implement President Xi’s diplomatic philosophy featuring peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and promote practical subnational exchange and cooperation between China and the United States” said Zhang Ping, the new Consul General of China in Los Angeles, at a reception in his honor.
More than 200 elected officials, business leaders and Chinese community representatives attended the event at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City to welcome Zhang as he assumed the office.
Zhang said, over the last 25 years, China-U.S. relations have reached an unprecedented scope and depth. The bilateral trade volume totaled $524.3 billion last year. Chinese direct investment in the United States surged to $109 billion with over 140,000 jobs created. More than 350,000 Chinese students study in the U.S.
“The ties between China and southern California become increasingly close,” Zhang added. “Los Angeles Customs District handles nearly 1/3 of trade between China and the United States. There are over 600 Chinese companies in this region with $10 billion direct investment. Los Angeles has become one of the most favorite destinations for Chinese tourists.”
“I look forward to working along with ever body towards the long term healthy and stable China-U.S. relations,” Zhang said.
Prior to his appointment as the Consul General, Zhang served as China’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Fiji.
