NACA Rings in New Year

The National Association of Chinese-Americans will ring in the new year with a special banquet Feb. 6 celebrating the Chinese New Year, lunar year 4708 and the Year of the Tiger.

Guest of honor will be Honorable Minister Xie Feng, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the United States of America. State Attorney General Thurbert Baker will deliver the keynote address at the event.

“In 2010, NACA will continue focusing on our mission of ‘Bridging cultures, building leaders and benefiting communities’,” said NACA Chair Lani Wong.

“In addition, we will also expand and enhance our role in more business development collaborations between China and Atlanta and the State of Georgia. We are also going to continue to work with Chinamex to ensure the success of the Hubei Enterprises (America) Marketing Center,” she said.

Global business incubator Chinamex announced, officially, in 2009 that it would bring its North American headquarters to Atlanta. A grand opening celebration was held Dec. 14 at Atlantic Station, the site of Chinamex’s new home.

The National Association of Chinese-Americans (NACA) is dedicated to the advancement of cordial relationships between the United States and China. It is a non-profit organization, which was founded in 1977 by Dr. Cheng Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate in Physics. It’s initial objective was to assist in achieving and promoting full diplomatic recognition between these two countries.

The national headquarters for NACA is in Washington, D.C., and there are ten local chapters in the United States. The Atlanta Regional Chapter was inaugurated in 1980 in conjunction with Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping’s successful state visit.

The Atlanta Chapter of NACA has continued to organize and sponsor activities that bring together Chinese dignitaries, local Georgia government officials as well as community and business leaders. NACA’s mission has been as a facilitator to promote cultural, educational, scientific and business relationships between these parties. It also strongly encourages Chinese-Americans to participate in the American political process while preserving Chinese heritage in the American culture.

Source: Julie Bryant Fisher, Atlanta Business Chronicle