LAPost/Los Angeles, CA (September 29, 2026) — By: Richard Ren / LAPost

The Consulate General of China in Los Angeles hosted a reception celebrating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, bringing together representatives from U.S. federal and local governments, the foreign consular corps, business and academic communities, cultural organizations, and Chinese American communities across Southern California.

Chinese Consul General Guo Shaochun and his wife, Wang Wei, hosted the reception. Deputy Consul General Huang Hongjiang served as master of ceremonies.

The event opened with the national anthems of China and the United States.

In his remarks, Guo welcomed the guests and expressed appreciation to those who have supported China’s development and China-U.S. relations. He also extended greetings to Chinese Americans, Chinese students, and Chinese nationals working and studying throughout the consular district.

Guo said that 77 years of development have witnessed profound changes in China, including rapid economic growth, social development and technological innovation.

According to figures cited by Guo, China’s GDP reached 69.6 trillion yuan in the first half of 2026, representing year-over-year growth of 4.7 percent. Value added in high-tech manufacturing increased 13.3 percent year over year, while emerging industries including artificial intelligence, new-energy vehicles and integrated circuits continued to expand.

China’s imports of goods also grew 17.7 percent from January through July, Guo said, adding that China’s expanding market is creating opportunities for American businesses.

Guo noted that 2026 marks the first year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. He said China’s high-quality development and expanded opening-up would create additional opportunities for cooperation with countries around the world, including the United States.

Addressing China-U.S. relations, Guo said the two countries face a range of common challenges, including armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and questions surrounding the governance of artificial intelligence.

“No country can remain unaffected, and no country can tackle these challenges by itself,” Guo said, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation during difficult times.

He described China and the United States as the world’s two largest economies and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, saying the two countries therefore shoulder “special and important responsibilities.”

Guo also referred to recent high-level China-U.S. diplomatic engagement and agreements reached between the two sides. He said the outcomes sent a positive signal that China and the United States were seeking greater engagement, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The relationship, he said, should be supported not only by high-level diplomacy but also by exchanges among local governments, businesses, educational institutions, cultural organizations and ordinary people.

Guo highlighted several developments in China-U.S. sub-national relations during 2026.

The eighth China-California Business Forum, held in May, brought together more than 500 representatives from China and the United States to discuss economic and trade cooperation.

Guo also noted that high-quality California dairy products entered the Chinese market for the first time this year.

Several sister-city relationships also reached significant anniversaries in 2026. Los Angeles and Guangzhou marked the 45th anniversary of their sister-city relationship, while Denver and Kunming celebrated 40 years of partnership. Riverside and Jiangmen, as well as Albuquerque and Lanzhou, marked the 30th anniversaries of their respective partnerships.

Guo said the anniversary activities provided opportunities to reaffirm longstanding friendships and explore new areas of cooperation.

He also highlighted the 30th anniversary of China-U.S. cooperation on giant panda conservation. The two pandas, Yunchuan and Xin Bao, have become popular ambassadors of friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

Cultural exchanges were another part of the year’s local engagement. Guo cited the strong performance of Zootopia 2 in China and the interest generated in Los Angeles by the Chinese animated film All Wishes Come True (Ba Xian).

For the first time since 2024, the Consulate General also provided consular services in Colorado, further facilitating people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Guo also emphasized the contributions of Chinese Americans to American society and to China-U.S. relations.

From the early days of railroad construction to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Chinese Americans have played an important role in the history of the two countries, he said.

Today, Guo noted, Chinese Americans continue to contribute through science and technology, business innovation, community service and cross-cultural communication.

He described the community as an important bridge connecting the two countries and said its contributions deserve recognition, respect and support.

Youth exchanges were another major theme of Guo’s remarks.

He said mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American peoples are important foundations for the future of bilateral relations, adding that young people represent the future and hope of both countries.

Guo referred to an initiative announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2023 to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchanges and study over five years.

According to Guo, that goal was reached two and a half years ahead of schedule, and China has now announced an expanded goal of inviting 100,000 American young people to China over the next five years.

“Going from 50,000 to 100,000 is about much more than doubling a number,” Guo said. “It is about bringing more young people together, deepening people-to-people ties, and building a stronger foundation for friendship between our two countries for generations to come.”

Looking ahead, Guo said the Chinese Consulate General would continue working with communities throughout its consular district to deepen mutual understanding through exchanges, pursue mutual benefit through cooperation and build greater common ground through people-to-people ties.

Rachel Washington, representing the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions, also addressed the reception and conveyed greetings on behalf of the United States.

Washington said the United States recognizes the importance of continued high-level diplomacy between the two countries and welcomed efforts to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship based on respect, fairness and reciprocity.

Eugene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, spoke about the importance of China-U.S. trade and the role of the port as an indicator of economic activity between the two countries.

Seroka said the Port of Los Angeles had begun seeing increased trade activity between the United States and China and discussed upcoming exchanges with Chinese trade and shipping communities, including a planned visit to China for the Canton Fair.

He also highlighted continued cooperation involving global shipping, supply chains and sustainable development.

Carlos Penilla, representing California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas’ 28th District, conveyed the senator’s congratulations on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

He recognized China’s history and cultural heritage as well as its contributions in science, technology, infrastructure and international cooperation, and expressed hopes for continued peace, prosperity and friendship among peoples around the world.

The reception concluded with Guo raising a toast to the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, to the enduring friendship between the peoples of China and the United States, and to the health and happiness of the guests and their families.