Chongqing - As the National Two Sessions are underway in Beijing and provincial National People's Congress (NPC) delegations deliberate their government work reports, Leo Chan, Executive Chairman of the Midwest USA Chinese Chamber of Commerce, linked up from Cincinnati Ohio with Bridging News anchor James Alexander to discuss the latest developments and achievements of the Chamber in 2023, and his expectations for future cooperation leading through 2024.

Midwest USA Chinese Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business association founded in Cincinnati in 2005 to encourage cooperation between American and Chinese organizations in the Midwest to benefit regional businesses. Last year, The Chamber participated in the Smart China Expo through a virtual booth. The company has sent delegations to previous editions, which have developed strong relationships with vendors and customers.

A friendship city Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during a visit to Chongqing in 2018 between the two citys' mayors, and a return delegation was received the following year in Cincinnati. The Chinese Chamber played a significant role in fostering this sister-city relationship and represented Cincinnati in the Chongqing International Sister City Roundtable held in 2019.

Various accomplishments in the past year include five trade delegations made across China, successful participation in the China Smart Expo, and one-to-one business matching activities that have enhanced mutual trust and lowered operating costs.

The head office of the American Mid-West Chamber of Commerce is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the central heartland, only three hours from the majority of US consumers and businesses (Photo provided by Leo Chan to iChongqing and Bridging News)

The friendship agreement between Cincinnati and Chongqing has created a platform whereby parties in both China and the USA can promote mutual understanding through dialogue and exchange. Leo Chan stated hopes that business dealings will benefit from more adequate import and export credit and insurance systems, which can provide greater convenience on the basis of enhanced trust and cooperation.

Looking towards 2024, Leo Chan hopes to see more convenient travel for Chinese and American business personnel, greater transparency in policy-making, reduced tariffs and the elimination of non-tariff trade barriers, and the introduction of successful Chinese business practices into the USA for consumers, such as those applied in e-commerce.

As Chan pointed out, the Mid-West is located at the heart of the American population distribution, meaning the majority of US consumers live within a three-hour flight radius from cities like Cincinnati, which presents commercial advantages that he hopes will entice more Chinese businesses into the region.