Chongqing catches California's attention

Yung believes that the in-depth understandings for both countries are required to do this job well. As a longtime resident he knows Sacramento well, and since his first visit to Chongqing in 2007, he's become familiar with that huge city, too. He's eager to help businesses there as well as clients from Sacramento.

The state of California set up a trade office in Shanghai in April. California Governor Jerry Brown said Shanghai was chosen because of the city's position as a financial hub in China.

However, Yung targeted the inland city Chongqing because he thinks he can do more there. "It is still in an opening-up stage, unlike the coastal cities," he said.

Rob Fong, the president of California-Chongqing Trade and Commerce Organization, a nonprofit group of companies, cities and counties in California, agrees. "The coastal cities are done, everyone has an office there. I love the vision that China has for inland," he added.

Fong believes that Sacramento is a lot like Chongqing. "We are inlands. We are not Los Angeles or San Francisco. We are not on a port or ocean. We have two rivers, Chongqing has two rivers," he said.

The trade office is a presence for Sacramento to develop close contacts. "It is a place, not just a website, with people," Fong added.

Brian Jacks, the regional vice president of the East West Commercial Real Estate in the Bay Area, is keen on Chongqing after his first visit to China in May.

"Chongqing is amazing. I have never seen the rate of development that is going on here. I saw so many tall buildings along the street," he says. "They are everywhere."

More than 100 foreign governments have set up offices in China, mostly at the State level, as the country has developed. Most aim to promote trade and services, but most are based in the first-tier metropolises such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Yung spoke proudly of his family history. His great-grandfather Yung Yew Yuan and cousin Yung Wing, both studied in Yale in the 19th century and returned to China, pushing for education and exchanges between the two countries.

"I am not as famous as they are. I don't change history. But at this age of my life, I want to do something to give back, maybe just in a little way."

Ji Jin contributed to the story.