On the evening of August 10th at 6:00 PM, a distinguished Friendship Event took place at the Northeast Grand Restaurant and the USA Shenyang Chamber of Commerce. “The Gathering” brought together community leaders, business executives, and special guests for an evening dedicated to strengthening cultural and economic ties between China and the United States. One of the great things about being a part of Newstodayworld is being able to share some of my personal stories and experiences like this event in the goal of building bridges of cooperation and understanding across the globe.
By personal invitation, this was an intimate guest list that included several Board Members of the USA Shenyang Chamber of Commerce along with many other special guests from both the local Chinese-American community and the broader Southern California and global business network. The atmosphere reflected a spirit of respect, collaboration, and the shared goal of building bridges between two nations whose histories and futures remain deeply connected.
Mr. Zhu (Kevin), who had just returned from a trip to China, Spain, and Portugal, personally welcomed close friends, community figures, and business leaders to the event. His recent travels underscored his role as an international connector, fostering relationships that span continents. With genuine warmth, he greeted guests not merely as attendees, but as valued partners in a shared vision of cross-cultural cooperation. Dr. Mark Rafter (“Marco”) has known Kevin for many years, and we are truly, “Brothers of a Different Mother.”
In his opening remarks, Kevin emphasized the importance of personal connections in fostering goodwill between China and the U.S. He spoke about the lessons and insights gained from his recent overseas meetings, noting how dialogue, mutual respect, and open exchange remain the foundation of strong international relationships.
The evening’s tone was set early on by Mr. Cui, a famous Chinese television personality and respected public figure. Mr. Cui has the unique ability to make others laugh and shift gears to make a serious point. Making a serious and heartfelt observation, he gestured toward the world outside the restaurant and said, “There are a lot of bad people out there… and the good people are in here, around this table.”
His words, delivered with quiet conviction, drew nods of agreement and thoughtful reflection from those present. In that moment, the gathering took on a deeper meaning — it was not just dinner, but a meeting of trusted friends committed to goodwill, mutual respect, and the belief that shared values can prevail over division.
In addition to his personal remarks, Mr. Cui made an exciting announcement that drew immediate interest and enthusiasm from the room — the upcoming China–U.S. trade deal signing ceremony to be held at the historic Richard Nixon Presidential Library.
This news, symbolizing progress and cooperation between the two nations, was well received and met with strong applause from all in attendance. The announcement added a sense of optimism and forward momentum to the evening, reinforcing the idea that positive developments in business and diplomacy are possible when relationships are nurtured and trust is built.
The introductions made their way around the table, guests shared personal stories and professional backgrounds, revealing a rich diversity of industries and expertise. As is often the case with Kevin’s events, the evening provided opportunities to reconnect with old friends Lucy, Kevin’s sister who is a well-known Chinese artist; My dear friend Steven Shen and his lovely wife Shirley; Long-time friends of Marco, with a friendship spanning over 12 years, Nancy, a talented legal professional and owner of Capital Seafood Restaurant in the Spectrum in Irvine; Mr. Frank Wang the Secretary General of USA Shenyang Chamber; Jonna Wu Vice Chairman of Global Sustainable Development Foundation who will be MC at the UN Event in March; and to make many new ones like Lily with an MBA from University in Chicago; Among those present was and a distinguished entrepreneur Mr. Li who shared his journey of building companies and taking them public — four of which now rank among the top listed public companies in China. Also in attendance was Deng Xu (Adeline) who supplies all 99 Ranch Markets in Southern California with famous Beijing Yogurt; as well as a film director and her associate Sunny with television connections to CCTV. Sam Liu, CEO of Apple Media Inc and holds several titles including America Trade Development Council Vice Chairman.
Dr. Mark Rafter, affectionately known in China as the Modern-Day Marco Polo or simply “Marco,” shared with guests an exciting announcement: a planned Panda Photo Art Exhibition, organized through his California-based non-profit Fit To Play in collaboration with the Chengdu Panda Industry Association (CPIA). Planning for a potential date in conjunction with the Moon Festival in October here in Southern California, the exhibition will be followed by Phase II and III, which includes a national contest and the world’s largest Panda fundraising concert.
Later in the evening, Mr. Cui addressed Dr. Marco, calling his work to promote Pandas and foster friendship between China and the U.S. “noble.” Marco replied, Xie Xie ni de haoyi meaning thank you for your kind words in Mandarin. It is a true blessing when there is someone who, “gets it!” Mr. Cui recognized Dr. Marco is a man who means what he says and says what he means. Marco expressed his lifelong commitment to “doing all things that promote awareness of Panda culture and conservation,” adding that the Panda has become “a great symbol of peace for all humanity.” He then shared a new slogan: “Share the Bear.”
The event unfolded in a festive atmosphere, where warm smiles, lively conversation, and laughter filled the room. Guests were treated to amazing Chinese cuisine, served alongside fragrant tea and fine wine. Throughout the evening, glasses were raised in toasts of warm friendship, symbolizing unity and shared aspirations.
The food, drink, and gracious hospitality not only delighted the senses but also served as cultural bridges — reminders that sharing a meal and raising a glass together are timeless traditions for building trust and celebrating connection.
In today’s rapidly shifting global climate, gatherings like this Friendship Event serve as vital touchpoints for diplomacy at the community level. They create an environment where partnerships can grow organically, supported by trust and mutual respect.
As the evening drew to a close, many guests expressed optimism about the future of China–U.S. relations, at least within the realm of people-to-people and business-to-business engagement. The sentiment was clear: friendship is the first step toward understanding, and understanding is the foundation for lasting progress.
Chairman Zhu’s efforts, supported by the USA Shenyang Chamber of Commerce, reflect a belief that cooperation is not only possible but essential. This Friendship Event was a reminder that while governments engage in complex negotiations, it is often individuals and communities who pave the way for peace, prosperity, and enduring friendship.
