National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Annual Meeting Biden and Xi Jinping send congratulatory messages

The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR) held its annual meeting in Midtown Manhattan recently, where they presented the Annual Honor Award to William E. Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic. This event garnered significant attention from both the United States and China, with leaders from both nations sending congratulatory messages that expressed their commitment to stabilizing bilateral relations.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping each sent their well-wishes. Evan Greenberg, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCUSCR Board, read aloud Biden’s message, in which the President commended the committee’s efforts since 1966 to promote dialogue and enhance mutual understanding between the two countries. Biden emphasized the U.S. government’s dedication to collaborating with China on global challenges such as climate change, food security, and combating drug trafficking. He stated, “The U.S. will continue to work with those committed to upholding a freer and more prosperous world, defending the international system and rules that secure global peace and security.”

Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng conveyed Xi’s congratulations, who praised the committee’s work in fostering cooperation and congratulated Ford on receiving the honor. Xi reiterated China’s commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, expressing, “China is willing to be a partner and friend to the U.S. This will not only benefit our two nations but also the world.” He also mentioned China’s plans to further open its economy and create a more international business environment, which he believes will enhance collaboration opportunities with the U.S.

Xie highlighted that last year, American companies established 1,920 new subsidiaries in China, with 80% planning to reinvest their profits. He referred to this trend as “voting with their feet,” emphasizing that many firms are not leaving China; rather, they are increasing their investments. He also pointed out recent policies implemented by China aimed at boosting market confidence and attracting long-term investments, which he believes have invigorated interest in investing in China and contributed to the global economy.

During the opening remarks, Stephen Orlins, President of the NCUSCR, quoted Confucius’ disciple Zeng Shen: “A gentleman should be broad-minded and strong, for the path ahead is arduous and long.” He noted that in the context of an upcoming election and the uncertainty in U.S.-China relations, this year’s fundraising total reached a record $3.502 million. “In my 20 years with the committee, this is a number we could not have imagined two decades ago,” he remarked.

Ford received the Honor Award this year in recognition of his constructive contributions to U.S.-China relations. Under his leadership, General Atlantic has invested in China for over 20 years, backing renowned companies such as Alibaba, ByteDance, Ant Group, and Meituan. In closing, Ford quoted Henry Kissinger, stating, “If the U.S. and China can deepen mutual understanding and explore avenues for cooperation, the world will be more likely to achieve long-term peace and prosperity.” He expressed hope that this sentiment will continue to inspire the work of the NCUSCR.