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People attend the annual gala of China General Chamber of Commerce-U.S.A. Chicago (CGCC Chicago) in Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 17, 2019. The CGCC Chicago hosted its annual gala on Tuesday to further promote bilateral relations as 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic ties. The gala, themed "Synergy" and in partnership with World Business Chicago, was composed of eight sessions including an investment forum, high-level armchair discussions, a showcase of Invest in the Midwest, and an award ceremony. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

CHICAGO, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- China General Chamber of Commerce-U.S.A. Chicago (CGCC Chicago) hosted its annual gala on Tuesday to further promote bilateral relations as 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic ties.

The gala, themed "Synergy" and in partnership with World Business Chicago, was composed of eight sessions including an investment forum, high-level armchair discussions, a showcase of Invest in the Midwest, and an award ceremony.

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai and U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad sent congratulatory letters to this gala.

Cui said in his letter that the nine U.S. Midwest states are of "critical importance to the economic landscape and the United States" and that they have witnessed "flourishing China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, providing strong momentum for the bilateral relations."

As the world's two biggest economies, "we have more common interests than differences, so cooperation is the only right option for us and meets the general expectations of the international community," Cui said.

Branstad hailed the theme of "Synergy" as a great way to describe the tremendous growth in U.S.-China business relations over the past 40 years. He also expressed the hope that "U.S. and Chinese businesses continue to play a vital role in keeping the relationships between the two countries strong for the next forty years and beyond".

Though China and the United States are in a difficult time at present, the enthusiasm local governments and enterprises in the U.S. Midwest show for China-U.S. relationship has not abated at all, Ni Pin, chairman of CGCC-Chicago and president of Wanxiang America, told Xinhua.

"They are pining big hopes on stable and long-term relationship between China and the United States," he added.

Three Chinese and American companies were awarded at the gala for their excellent performances in business development and corporate social responsibility. The Best Employer of the Year went to CRRC Sifang America, while Wanxiang America and Bank of China were awarded the Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year.

Among the participants were officials from the Chinese Embassy in the United States, the U.S. federal government, U.S. Midwest state governments and Chicago city government, as well as representatives from U.S. investment promotion groups, seven Chinese cities and a delegation of over 300 Chinese business leaders.

China General Chamber of Commerce-U.S.A. (CGCC) is a nonprofit organization representing Chinese enterprises in the United States. CGCC Chicago covers nine states in the U.S. Midwest - Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Direct investment from China to the U.S. Midwest reached 22.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, creating about 45,000 jobs for local residents. The export trade volume from the U.S. Midwest to China reached 31.2 billion dollars in 2017, creating 216,900 exporting jobs locally.