Dear guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening! Welcome to my first reception at the Consulate General. It’s my pleasure to meet you all. This is my first time working in the United States. Previously, I worked in five European countries, most recently as the Ambassador to Finland. Christmas trees in the neighborhoods now remind me of Rovaniemi, Finland, or the hometown of Santa Claus. I wonder if I might come across Santa on Fifth Avenue even with his reindeer.
People say “New York is not a city; it’s a world.” Here, you can indeed see the whole country and even the whole globe. Along with New York, the nine other states in our consular district are a hub for top institutions and talent in the global economy, finance, technology, education, and culture. Over the past month, I have been working hard to better understand the region and the people. I would like to share some of my first impressions:
● In New York, life seems to be in a race against time. By 8 a.m., Manhattan’s streets are already packed with cars, and everyone is always on the run. Here, I see a hardworking America.
● In Philadelphia, I was told by locals that their city is the birthplace of the nation. They did remind me that Bostonians might not fully agree. Here, I see a proud America.
● At High Line Park, old train tracks are transformed into modern art; the piers along the Hudson River are given a new lease on life; and old warehouses and ports under the Manhattan Bridge have become the Instagram-famous "DUMBO". Here, I see a developing America.
These experiences are both new yet familiar to me. They remind me of China, where the same vibrancy can be found. Over the past few years, my work took me to many places in China and amazed me with local development and quality of life:
● In Shenzhen, the special economic zone is in its prime. There, you can see how drones, AI, and new energy vehicles offer fresh models for Chinese modernization.
● In Heilongjiang, the coldest place in China reveals the hottest markets. There, you can join people from all over the country in embracing the fun and passion of winter sports.
● In Zhejiang, you can rest in a secluded town and connect with the world at the click of a button. There, you can feel the strong pulse of the digital economy and e-commerce.
The Chinese and Americans have much in common: we take pride in our history, strive in the present, and look forward to a brighter future. What binds us even more is the mutual goodwill and the desire to learn more about each other.
Since our two countries established diplomatic relations, the two peoples have become ever closer. Just a few days ago, friends from the Philadelphia Orchestra told me that while I was flying to the U.S., their entire orchestra was flying to China. Over ten days, they performed nine concerts in four cities, once again striking the chord of friendship. I hope to find more of such envoys in both countries to carry forward both people-to-people exchange and bilateral relations.
As a diplomat myself, I fully understand the weight of my responsibility: to deepen the bonds between our two peoples and foster mutual understanding. For that purpose:
● I will visit art centers to enjoy performances by top Chinese and American artists sharing the same stage.
● I will visit companies and factories to explore more opportunities for win-win cooperation between our two countries.
● I will visit universities and colleges to hear insights from faculty and students.
I want to travel across all ten states in our consular district, engaging with people from all walks of life to hear their stories and promote friendship. To fellow Chinese here, I want to emphasize that my colleagues and I will remain committed to serving the Chinese community and students in our consular district with dedication and care.
I believe in “beginner’s luck”. I hope that a new starting point marks a good beginning for China-U.S. relations. This will require the joint efforts of people from both nations. Even more so, I hope that the relationship can enjoy a “luck streak”, bringing lasting benefits not only to our peoples but also to the entire world.
Thank you!