Page 4 - SCBJ-201512
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South China Business Journal
LEADERSHIP As the year draws to a close, I want to highlight two
recent milestones which reflect the positive direction of the
U.S.-China relationship. Second, a little over one year ago, the U.S. and China jointly
agreed to reciprocal ten-year visas as a major step towards
First, I am happy to report that the 26th session of the U.S. expanding bilateral exchange. Since November 12, 2014, when
China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) the U.S. began issuing 10-year validity visas to Chinese passport
was successfully held here in Guangzhou from November holders for business and tourism travel, the U.S. Consulate in
21 to 23. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Guangzhou has issued over 950,000 visas, representing a 55%
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, together with increase year-over-year. These extraordinary numbers are
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, co-chaired the JCCT. They proof of progress for what the White House sought to achieve
were joined by U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus, U.S. - increase opportunities for people-to-people ties, and boost
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, China’s Ambassador to mutual understanding. Of course, this would not be possible
the United States Cui Tiankai and other high-level U.S. and without the close partnership of our Chinese counterparts.
Chinese officials. Established in 1983, the JCCT is the primary
forum for addressing bilateral trade and investment issues My New Year’s resolutions include: meeting with more U.S.
and promoting commercial opportunities between the U.S. businesses, encouraging more Chinese investment in the
and China. In the words of Secretary Pritzker, “We obtained U.S., and helping the people of south China gain a deeper
firm commitments from China in the areas of competition understanding of American culture, institutions, and policies.
law, intellectual property protection, standards setting, and With a great Consulate team behind me and superb local
environmental conservation that will level the playing field for partners, I’m confident I can keep these resolutions. I wish
our companies in China.” We will continue to push forward on you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a productive and
these and other priority issues. prosperous 2016.
Charles Bennett
Consul General
Consulate General of the United States of America
Guangzhou, China
2
LEADERSHIP As the year draws to a close, I want to highlight two
recent milestones which reflect the positive direction of the
U.S.-China relationship. Second, a little over one year ago, the U.S. and China jointly
agreed to reciprocal ten-year visas as a major step towards
First, I am happy to report that the 26th session of the U.S. expanding bilateral exchange. Since November 12, 2014, when
China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) the U.S. began issuing 10-year validity visas to Chinese passport
was successfully held here in Guangzhou from November holders for business and tourism travel, the U.S. Consulate in
21 to 23. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Guangzhou has issued over 950,000 visas, representing a 55%
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, together with increase year-over-year. These extraordinary numbers are
Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, co-chaired the JCCT. They proof of progress for what the White House sought to achieve
were joined by U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus, U.S. - increase opportunities for people-to-people ties, and boost
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, China’s Ambassador to mutual understanding. Of course, this would not be possible
the United States Cui Tiankai and other high-level U.S. and without the close partnership of our Chinese counterparts.
Chinese officials. Established in 1983, the JCCT is the primary
forum for addressing bilateral trade and investment issues My New Year’s resolutions include: meeting with more U.S.
and promoting commercial opportunities between the U.S. businesses, encouraging more Chinese investment in the
and China. In the words of Secretary Pritzker, “We obtained U.S., and helping the people of south China gain a deeper
firm commitments from China in the areas of competition understanding of American culture, institutions, and policies.
law, intellectual property protection, standards setting, and With a great Consulate team behind me and superb local
environmental conservation that will level the playing field for partners, I’m confident I can keep these resolutions. I wish
our companies in China.” We will continue to push forward on you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a productive and
these and other priority issues. prosperous 2016.
Charles Bennett
Consul General
Consulate General of the United States of America
Guangzhou, China
2
