2019 China-California Business Forum Convenes June 5th --- As U.S., China Step up Efforts for a Trade Deal, Forum to Encourage Business Leaders to Explore Trade & Investment Opportunities

05/01/2019

The 2019 China-California Business Forum (Forum) will be held on June 5th at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, to promote and highlight California's trade and investment cooperation with Chinese provinces, and to encourage individual California and Chinese business leaders to explore and develop business opportunities. 

The Forum is organized by the California Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development, Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC), China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) and the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, in partnership with the Milken Institute, the Bay Area Council, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Los Angeles, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and Guangdong Department of Commerce. Former Governor Jerry Brown personally participated in all three previous events since 2016, which attracted a total of over 1200 business executives.

Despite trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies since last year, optimism among business executives are on the rise since the summit meeting of the two Presidents last December, and the two sides is stepping up efforts to reach a deal in the bilateral trade talks.

A delegation of about 150 top Chinese business leaders from nine different provinces is expected to join the Forum. 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 Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. 

The full-day event will include plenary sessions on trade and investment, breakout sessions on clean-tech, cross-border e-commerce, advanced manufacturing, and innovation cooperation, as well as one-on-one matchmaking opportunities. The Forum will aid companies and individuals in building practical strategies and partnerships by understanding the latest policy developments, opportunities and challenges in the dynamic trade relationship between the two largest economies in the world. 

“California was the number one recipient of foreign direct investment from China, totaling more than $16 Billion in 2017. We are also home to a vibrant Chinese American community. This forum will build on our strong business and cultural ties, strengthen our international partnerships, and grow our economy.” Said Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis.

“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.  This annual Forum is also an integral part of the China Provinces and U.S. California Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment Cooperation established under an MOU between the State of California and MOFCOM to expand trade and investment between California and China.  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 Brian Peck, Chair of the Los Angeles Regional Export Council.

“As the Chinese Secretariat of the China Provinces and U.S. California Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment Cooperation, CCCME together the seven member provinces all attach great importance to the China-California Business Forum and will actively participate in it as always. 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”, said Liu Chun, Vice President of CCCME.

“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. 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”, said Amb. Zhang Ping, Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles.

For more information about the forum and a name list of the Chinese business delegation, please visit, http://www.cccme.org.cn/app/2019ccbf/enindex.htm