NACA Attends the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) Reception

NACA Chair Lani Wong attended a dinner reception on July 28th, honoring China’s Vice-Premier Wang Qishan (王岐山), State Councilor Dai Bingguo (戴秉国) and their Ministerial delegations to the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED)(中美战略与经济对话), with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, the focus of the dialogue was to address the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interests. This first meeting of the Dialogue also set the stage for intensive, ongoing and future bilateral cooperative mechanisms. In a congratulatory message read by Wang Qishan, Chinese President Hu Jintao stated that China and the United States, in the face of the current complex and changing international economic and political situation, should endeavor to expand common ground, reduce differences, enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation through the Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

“While this first round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue offers a unique opportunity to work with Chinese officials, we will not always agree on solutions and we must be frank about our differences, including establishing the right venues to have those discussions.….having these strategic-level discussions with our Chinese counterparts will help build the trust and relationships to tackle the most vexing global challenges of today—and of the coming generation,” said Timothy F. Geithner, the US Treasury Secretary.

He then cited a wise Chinese aphorism and added “ ‘When you are in a common boat, you need to cross the river peacefully together. Today, we will join our Chinese counterparts in grabbing an oar and starting to row.” The National Association of Chinese-Americans (NACA) has dedicated itself to the advancement of cordial relationships between the United States and China since the 1970’s. NACA Chair Lani Wong currently is member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. In April of 2006, Ms. Wong was also invited to attend several functions during Chinese President Hu’s visit to the White House. In 1997, Ms. Wong was also invited to attend the Hong Kong handover ceremony.