China in Washington 2009
Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington, DC

September 17, 2009

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The U.S.-China Policy Foundation (USCPF) held our 2009 Annual Gala Dinner on Thursday, September 17, from 7pm-9pm at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in downtown Washington, DC, and celebrated almost 15 years of promoting better Sino-American relations. This year's event was of particular significance as we marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The Honorable James Sasser, former ambassador to China and USCPF co-chair, presided over the evening's events, welcoming the Foundation's guests and introducing His Excellency Zhou Wenzhong, ambassador from the People's Republic of China, who spoke briefly about Sino-American relations and the significance of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

This year, the gala also served to honor three members of the American business community who have made significant contributions to the development of Sino-American relations.

 

2009 Gala Honorees:

GLOBAL BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Mr. Maurice R. Greenberg
Chairman and CEO, C. V. Starr & Co., Inc.; Honorary chairman, U.S.-China Policy Foundation

APPRECIATION AWARD FOR PROMOTING U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
Ms. Jan Berris
Vice president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations

CHINA BUSINESS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Mr. Yuan Ning
Chairman and president, China Construction America, Inc.

 

Dr. Chi Wang, chairman of the USCPF, also welcomed the guests and recognized the Foundation’s sponsor corporations.

Sponsors of the Gala included the following companies and organizations:

AAR Corporation
Agricultural Bank of China
Amgen Inc.
Bank of China, New York Branch
Bank of Communications
Barbara Franklin Enterprises
China Construction America, Inc.
China Daily USA
China Telecom Americas Corp.
The Coca-Cola Company
FedEx
Golden Eagle International Group
Harmony & Friendship Web TV Corp.
The Hershey Company
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
J.R. Simplot Co.
Perot Systems
Sun Kian IP Group
Wal-Mart
W.I. Harper Group

The Foundation appreciates the many Chinese and American companies doing business with China that continue to support the USCPF’s mission and programs. These corporations are truly leaders in the drive for a closer and more rewarding relationship between American and Chinese interests.

- Please click phtv or cctv to view video footages from the event.

- China Daily USA: 2009 USCPF Annual Gala Dinner- Full page notice, published Thursday, September 17, 2009 (PDF)  

 

Dr. Chi and Ernestine Wang greet Amb. Zhou Wenzhong and Madame Xie Shumin		Dr. Chi Wang shows Amb. Zhou the Foundation's full-page announcement for the Gala, published in the China Daily USA

Honerees Mr. Maurice Greenberg and Ms. Jan Berris converse during the pre-dinner reception		Amb. James Sasser, co-chair of the USCPF and former ambassador to China, is interviewed by members of the media

Amb. Sasser welcomes guests to the USCPF's 2009 annual gala dinner		Amb. Chas W. Freeman, Jr. introduces gala honoree Jan Berris

Amb. Freeman presents Jan Berris with her award		Jan Berris accepts the Appreciation Award for Promoting U.S.-China Relations

Chairman Chi Wang welcomes guests and thanks corporate sponsors of the Foundation		Mr. Yuan Ning accepts the China Business Leadership Award

Amb. J. Stapleton Roy introduces Mr. Maurice Greenberg, recipient of the Global Business leadership award		Copies of the Foundation's gala announcement in the China Daily USA

Guests at the Head Table enjoy dinner service		Gala guests in the ballroom of the Willard Intercontinental

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