At the turn of the year, the Pacific Oriental Enterprise Association was formally established in the San Francisco Bay Area. More than 150 guests from government, business, Chinese American communities, education, and the media witnessed this historic occasion.
(Silicon Valley Times) The Pacific Oriental Enterprise Association (POEA) was formally established in the San Francisco Bay Area on December 30, 2023. More than 150 guests gathered for the occasion, including public officials from the United States and China, business leaders, Chinese American community representatives, educators, institutional representatives, and members of the press. Among those attending were California Assemblymember Evan Low; Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert; Saratoga Mayor Yan Zhao; Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich; Millbrae Mayor Anders Fung; Yunshi Wang, director of the China Center for Energy and Transportation; Cindy Cui, chair of the New Silicon Valley Offshore Development Center; Zheng Qi, assistant dean of the University of Northern California College of Medicine; Professor Yang Xiaohua, director of the China Business Studies Initiative at the University of San Francisco; and leaders of Chinese American semiconductor, biotechnology, and innovation associations.
More than 50 chambers of commerce and associations sent congratulatory letters, including the Chongqing Chamber of Commerce for International Cooperation of the Private Economy, Xinjiang Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs, Ningbo Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Atlanta Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, American Qingdao Chamber of Commerce, and US-China Manufacturing Association. Yu Lina, editor-in-chief of the Silicon Valley Times, hosted the ceremony. The national anthems of the United States and China opened the event and brought a sense of dignity and ceremony to the historic moment.
Building Bridges Through People-to-People Cooperation
POEA President Gong Yunding spoke about the significance of the association's founding and shared his excitement and expectations for its future.
He first thanked the guests for attending and described the association's establishment as an important milestone in deepening people-to-people cooperation between the United States and China. He said its significance extended beyond the beginning of new commercial partnerships: it also represented the continuation and strengthening of friendly ties between the two peoples. Gong noted that the two countries have broad opportunities for cooperation in the economy, culture, technology, and other fields, and that POEA would provide a stronger and wider platform for that work.
He emphasized POEA's mission to advance mutually beneficial cooperation in business, education, technology, and other sectors, promote exchange across multiple fields, and contribute to shared prosperity and development. He added that POEA would actively serve as a bridge, strengthen people-to-people communication and cooperation, deepen mutual understanding, and encourage friendly engagement.
Gong said he believed cooperation between the peoples of the United States and China would move toward a brighter future through the joint efforts of all sectors. He thanked every guest once again and expressed the hope that future cooperation would reach new heights and make a greater contribution to prosperity and stability in both countries and around the world.
Many distinguished guests offered congratulations, demonstrating strong recognition of and support for the newly established association.
California Assemblymember Evan Low discussed the importance of economic and cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries:
“The establishment of the Pacific Oriental Enterprise Association marks closer people-to-people commercial cooperation and exchange between California and China. It will have a positive impact on California's development and on friendly relations between the two peoples.”
Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert has led delegations of US officials and business representatives to China on several occasions and helped advance multiple two-way investment opportunities. He praised China's rapid development and expressed admiration for its vitality and strength:
“Cooperation between the United States and China is especially important in today's international environment. We hope POEA will build more bridges between California and China and promote shared prosperity and development.”
Saratoga Mayor Yan Zhao is originally from Xi'an, China. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in electrical engineering and computer science and earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Santa Clara University. She became Saratoga's first female councilmember from mainland China and was elected mayor on December 16, 2020. She said:
“I hope this platform will promote cooperation and exchange not only in business and the economy, but also in education and technology, helping develop future talent and innovation in both the United States and China.”
Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich, Millbrae Mayor Anders Fung, Yunshi Wang of the China Center for Energy and Transportation, and other guests also addressed the audience. Their congratulations expressed confidence in POEA's founding and high expectations for its future.
David Haubert, Yan Zhao, Anders Fung, and other US officials presented certificates of recognition to POEA President Gong Yunding. They congratulated the association on its establishment and expressed the hope that its future development would produce concrete achievements and new opportunities for cooperation.
Uniting Members Through Trust and Action
POEA Executive President Chen Wei then presented donation certificates to vice presidents and board members. He thanked them for their generous contributions and strong support, noting that every donation represented more than financial assistance: it demonstrated trust in and firm support for a shared vision. He welcomed more entrepreneurs and companies from the United States and China to join the platform. The audience responded with warm applause. “We will develop practical projects through the POEA platform and promote people-to-people exchange between the United States and China,” he said.
To mark POEA's establishment, attendees raised a toast and gathered for a group photograph, preserving the significant moment. The association's founding reflected the recovery and renewed energy of people-to-people ties after the pandemic and confidence in future cooperation. Guests celebrated the successful founding ceremony and looked ahead to a new journey in 2024.
POEA is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization registered in San Francisco, California, and jointly initiated by several Chinese business associations. It brings together accomplished entrepreneurs from the United States and China, like-minded scientists, and public-policy and think-tank leaders. Its purpose is to create shared opportunities for business operations, investment, research and development, innovation, economic growth, health, and well-being within the broader relationship between the United States and China. POEA was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area on December 30, 2023. Gong Yunding serves as its founding president for a five-year term.
Source note: This article was adapted from a report published by Phoenix Media's regional channel. Names, titles, and quotations follow the source report. The original report was uploaded by a Dafeng account holder, with Phoenix Media providing information-storage services.