Searching for growth

Qingdao Mayor Zhang Xinqi (second from right) unveils the plate for Qingdao Center for Business & Commerce USA with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee (left) on May 17 as Luo Lunquan, consul-general at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco looking on.Mayor Zhang leads a delegation on a visit to San Francisco in search of more comprehensive and deeper exchanges and collaborations. Composed of executives of more than 20 leading companies, such as Haier, Hisense and Tsingtao Brewery, the delegation held a publicity and promotion event on Tuesday at the Sino-US Regional Economic&Trade Cooperation Qingdao Forum and Opening Ceremony of Qingdao Center for Business & Commerce USA, with many companies signing agreements and memorandum with local businesses in the US. Well-known for its abundant resources in agriculture, marine science, tourism, port business, technology and innovation capacities, Qingdao will play an increasingly important role on the sub-national and regional level with cities like San Francisco, said Zhang. Chang Jun / China Daily

Efforts recognized

California State Controller Betty Yee (second from left), a descendant of Taishan, a county-level city in Jiangmen,presents certificates of recognition to Xu Xiaoxiong (left), vice-mayor of Jiangmen, Lu Yongquan (third from left), mayor of Taishan,

and Wen Weiwen, director of Pengjiang district of Jiangmen, for their contributions in promoting exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese city and Silicon Valley at the Silicon Valley-Jiangmen Innovation Forum on Sunday in Mountain View,California. Lia Zhu / China Daily

Going strong

Micah Weinberg, president of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, 'debunks' myths about the region at the Bay Area Council Outlook Conference on Tuesday in San Francisco. A recent report released by the council says the Bay Area'continues to be as strong as ever' and it is 'perhaps the most dynamic growth economy in the developed world'. Lia Zhu / China Daily

Let's sing together!

He Konghua (third from left), president of Beijing Association, announces on May 19 that they will organize the 'Water Cube'Cup Chinese singing contest in San Francisco.The contest, co-sponsored by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, the Beijing Municipal Government and the All-China Youth Federation, will include the Silicon Valley as one of the overseas sites for the first time. He, a member of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, said the contest will help promote Chinese traditions and culture among the overseas young generation. Chang Jun / China Daily

(China Daily USA 05/20/2016 page14)