Chen Li, the new Chinese Consul General in New York, delivered a speech to about 400 guests at a banquet … [+]
China’s top diplomat, newly arrived in New York, said at a welcome reception on Tuesday that he hoped for a new start in relations between the two countries and believed in “beginner’s luck” when taking up his new role.
“I believe in ‘beginner’s luck,'” said Chen Li, a former Chinese ambassador to Norway. His most recent assignment as consul general in New York was Chen’s first U.S. assignment. “I hope the new starting point is a good start for Sino-US relations,” he said.
“This requires the joint efforts of the people of both countries. More importantly, I hope that China-US relations can continue the ‘good luck’ and bring lasting benefits not only to the people of the two countries, but also to the world. About 400 guests attended the event in Manhattan Welcome reception held by the consulate.
The newcomer took office before the Trump administration took office on January 20, promising to increase tariffs on Chinese imports and implement tougher overall policies against China. The United States and China, the United States’ main trading partner and the world’s second-largest economy, are also trying to bridge differences in geopolitical views and trade and economic policies, including on the South China Sea and Taiwan. Incoming Trump cabinet officials considered “China hawks” include Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio.
In October, Chen was appointed China’s new consul general in New York City, replacing Huang Ping, who had held the position for six years. A recent Pew Research Center report citing U.S. Census Bureau data shows that as of 2022, about half of the 4.7 million Chinese Americans live in New York state and California.
Due to the close business relations between China and the United States, the New York area has attracted well-known Chinese companies such as Bank of China, Fosun International and Vanke to settle in over the years. According to statistics from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, as of January 8, 2024, a total of 265 Chinese companies were listed on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, and the New York Stock Exchange in the United States, with a total market value of US$848 billion. This group includes online leaders such as Pinduoduo, Alibaba and Baidu, as well as online travel provider Ctrip and electric vehicle maker Li Auto. In October, Chinese autonomous vehicle technology company WeRide was listed on Nasdaq.
Mr. Chen has worked in five European countries. “The Christmas trees in the (New York) neighborhood now remind me of Rovaniemi, Finland, or the hometown of Santa Claus. I wonder if I could meet Santa Claus on Fifth Avenue, even if he had reindeer with him.” The diplomat praised The city’s “hard-working” culture was complemented by other recent experiences in the United States that reminded him of China’s own dynamism.
The working area of the Chinese Consulate General in New York includes New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island island state.
According to his official resume, Chen holds a master’s degree in economics and is a member of the Chinese Communist Party. The text does not indicate where he received his education.
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