China's top diplomat in LA stresses China-US co-ops

China's top diplomat in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun at an April 20 reception voices his gratitude for support he received from the US public, emphasizes the importance of a healthy and stable bilateral relationship, and vows to continue working harder to strengthen friendship.

The reception, held at the Hilton Universal City Hotel, is to introduce Guo to a wider population in his consular district, as well as celebrate the 35th anniversary of the opening of China's Los Angeles Consulate General.

Talking to hundreds of guests from all walks of life and backgrounds, Guo called the China-US relationship "the most important bilateral relationship in the world", and acknowledged that it is "at a critical moment" and "facing serious difficulties and challenges".

However, he said, "it is undeniable that the two countries share broad common interests" and it is in the "fundamental interests of the two peoples" to bring the relationship back to the right track of sound and steady development.

Last year, the China-US trade reached a record high of $760 billion, with a new record of $40.9 billion US agricultural exports to China. At state levels, China remains the largest trading partner of California, the second largest of Arizona and New Mexico, and the third largest of Hawaii. Sister City relationship wise, Guangzhou and Los Angeles, Qingdao and Long Beach, Chengdu and Phoenix, develop stronger and more prosperous.

History has shown that both countries gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, Guo said. After taking office in February, Guo visited many places and talked to people in order to gain first-hand experience regarding people-to-people exchanges.

In the BYD factory in Lancaster, Guo recalled, an American worker he met told him how the Chinese electric vehicle-maker offered not only a job, but a decent salary that enables the man to support a family, "to realize dreams".

On Feb 6, Guo went to the San Diego Zoo to join Paul Baribault, president and CEO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, for the Lunar New Year celebration. "I truly felt American people's affection for Chinese giant pandas and strong interest in Chinese culture," Guo said.

"I am also deeply impressed by the Port of Long Beach bustling with cargo ships from China, the enthusiasm for cooperation between universities of China and the US, and the Flying Tiger veterans' profound emotions for China," he added.

Guo also reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan question. "It involves China's core interests of sovereignty and territorial integrity," Guo said, adding "It is the most important and most sensitive issue at the very heart of China-US relations.

"If the Taiwan question is not properly handled, it will undermine the?political?foundation?of?China-US?relations, impair the sub-national cooperation between the two sides, and run counter to the fundamental interests of the US and American people," Guo warned. "I hope that all friends in my consular district will respect and support Chinese people's efforts to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and our aspiration of national reunification."

Elected officials, including Mike Fong from California State Assembly, Laticia Perez, Supervisor of Kern County, and R. Rex Parris, mayor of Lancaster joined trade representatives such as Christine Peterson, director of International Trade & Investment at Los Angeles Mayor's Office, and community leaders at the gathering.

Guo, 55, was China's ambassador to Zimbabwe. He wrapped up his speech by pledging to make "concerted efforts" to promote and develop a "sound and steady" China-US relationship for the wellbeings of two peoples.