Last week, World Business Chicago (WBC) continued its implementation of the Gateway Cities Agreement by co-hosting the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce – Chicago Chapter’s annual meeting.  This is the fourth year in a row that WBC has co-hosted the event.  The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) is a nonprofit organization representing Chinese enterprises in the United States. CGCC – Chicago covers nine states in the Midwest including: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

At this year’s annual meeting over 350 Chinese and US companies and government officials were in attendance to discuss the current state of US-China economic relations and to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the US and China.  The day-long event featured speeches and panel sessions from current and former elected officials as well as area experts.  Some speakers included Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Andrea Zopp, and Pin Ni, the President of Wanxiang America.  During Andrea’s remarks she discussed both the Chicago-China relationship and the economic opportunities for Chinese companies in Chicago.

This year, the Chinese Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce led a delegation of companies and officials from China for the event.  CIPA and the Ministry of Commerce have a first-of-its-kind economic partnership with WBC and the City of Chicago called the Gateway Cities Agreement.  Signed in 2013, the Gateway Cities Agreement is the anchor of the Chicago-China economic relationship.  It links Chicago with eight Chinese cities as gateways for investment into the respective countries.  The Chinese cities include Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Chengdu.

WBC was delighted that on the same week of the Annual Meeting, Hainan Airlines began direct service between Chicago and Chengdu.  This new direct route enhances Chicago’s connectivity to China, with routes to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Chengdu.

For more information on the event, please visit the CGCC-Chicago website here.