Luncheon in honor of
His Excellency Zhou Wenzhong
February 4, 2010
(Cosmos Club, Washington, DC)
The U.S.-China Policy Foundation was delighted to hold a farewell luncheon reception for His Excellency Zhou Wenzhong, ambassador of the People's Republic of China, prior to his return to China in February.
The event was held at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Invited guests included approximately 50 current and former U.S. cabinet officials and members of Congress, former ambassadors to China, top American business executives and academics, senior staff of the Chinese embassy, and other leading figures in U.S.-China relations.
Ambassador Zhou has spent almost half of his professional life representing the People's Republic of China in the United States, pursuing a policy of peace, friendship and prosperity between our two great nations. From 1978 to 1983, Ambassador Zhou served as attaché, and then third secretary, to the United States from the time we first established full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. He returned to the United States in 1987, serving as Deputy Consul General of China in San Francisco and Consul General of China in Los Angeles, before becoming the Minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States in 1995. From 1998 to 2001, he served as Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia. In 2003, Ambassador Zhou became Vice Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China. He was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from the Peoples Republic of China to the United States in 2005, a role he has filled with remarkable distinction.
Ambassador Zhou has been a constant and enthusiastic advocate for the USCPF's mission and programs and the Foundation was thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize him for his dedication. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and look forward to hearing about his many successes.
* The USCPF would like to extend special thanks to FedEx and the Coca-Cola Company for underwriting a portion of the event cost.
Dr. Chi Wang greets Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Shear
Amb. James Sasser and Amb. Zhou Wenzhong
Amb. Sasser introduces Amb. Zhou
Head table guests enjoy the luncheon
Amb. Zhou toasts guests at each table
Amb. J. Stapleton Roy and Amb. James Sasser
Dr. Chi Wang and Amb. Eric Hotung
