Officials and community leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area gathered to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, highlighting the nation's remarkable achievements and emphasizing the importance of people-to-people exchanges between the United States and China.

Chinese Consul-General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin addressed guests at a reception held at the Chinese Consulate General on Thursday night, praising China's progress over the past 75 years.

"The Chinese people have achieved two miracles: rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, making a historic leap from poverty to prosperity," Zhang said.

This year also marks the 45th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations. Despite challenges, the relationship has progressed, benefiting both nations and contributing to global peace and prosperity, said Zhang.

The summit between the leaders of the two countries in San Francisco last November established a "San Francisco Vision" for the future of bilateral relations, Zhang said, emphasizing the need to promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen subnational cooperation to "inject vitality into China-US relations".

California Governor Gavin Newsom sent a congratulatory letter, reflecting on his visit to China last October. He expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership in addressing climate change and advancing people-to-people exchanges.

"California and China have enjoyed a meaningful relationship built on shared goals as well as our shared past. As we mark this year's National Day, may the bonds between our peoples and cultures continue to endure and prosper," said Newsom in the letter.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed also sent a congratulatory letter, expressing gratitude to Consul-General Zhang and his wife for their support of San Francisco's Chinese community. Breed noted the city's celebration of its 45-year sister-city relationship with Shanghai, which has deepened economic, cultural, and educational ties.

Paul McEntire, board member and CFO of the Global Green Development Alliance, shared his insights from his recent five-week trip to China. "The infrastructure development is pretty amazing, particularly the high-speed rail. It was quite different from my first visit there, which was 30 years ago," he told China Daily.

McEntire's organization has been collaborating with Chinese counterparts on green development and "smart village" projects, aimed at assisting poorer rural areas in China in deploying green technologies.

Steve Harnsberger, the founder of People-to-People-Exchange, a nonprofit organization, emphasized the importance of "cultural diplomacy".

With over 20 years of experience leading cultural exchange programs in China, Harnsberger highlighted the significance of individual efforts in fostering friendship and peace between nations.

At another reception in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Chinese Consul-General in LA Guo Shaochun said that California and China have deepened their exchanges and fostered greater mutual understanding through a variety of initiatives and collaborations over the past year.

Significant events such as the China-California Business Forum, the return of China's giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to the San Diego Zoo, and the establishment of green shipping corridors between the Port of Shanghai and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach showcase the tangible achievements of the cooperative efforts, noted the envoy.

Leticia Perez, a member of the Kern County Board of Supervisors, noted that US perceptions of China are often simplistic.

"Americans' view about China still tend to be based on a black-and-white thinking, a colorless thinking about our number one global trade partner," she told the gathering.

Robert Hertzberg, former speaker of the California State Assembly and former majority leader of the California State Senate, who recently joined the 2024 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges in Shanghai, said: "It's crucial for both sides to collaborate in building understanding and getting along, grounded in trust and respect during these difficult times."