Welcome Chinese Delegation to Albany

Senate Resolution No. 876 BY: Senator GRIFFO WELCOMING Consul General, Ambassador Zhang Qiyue and members of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce to Albany on March 7, 2017, and reaffirming New York's business ties with China WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to certain individuals of high standard and professionalism whose singular objective is given to serving the advancement of democracy in the world; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to welcome Consul General, Ambassador Zhang Qiyue and members of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce to Albany, and to reaffirm New York's business ties with China to be celebrated on Tuesday, March 7,

2017, at the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, There are 41 pairs of sister states/provinces and 203 pairs of sister cities between the US and China and the two countries also established the US-China Governors Forum in January 2011 to support subnational cooperation, which provides channels and opportunities for exchange and cooperation between the two countries and peoples; and WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging its sister city relationships; by establishing such partnerships, it deepens their mutual understanding, strengthens their mutual trust, expands consensus, and enhances cooperation; and WHEREAS, In recent years, New York State has enjoyed fruitful cooperation with China in a range of areas; currently, China is the State's biggest trading partner outside of North America; and WHEREAS, By the end of 2016, Chinese businesses had made a total investment of 15.5 billion dollars in approximately 120 projects across New York State; and WHEREAS, Last year, an MOU was signed to establish a joint working group between six Chinese provinces and New York to boost mutual trade and investment; and WHEREAS, The strong cultural, educational and tourism ties shared by the State of New York and China have grown substantially over the recent years and have helped foster strong friendship between our two peoples; and WHEREAS, Every year, approximately one million Chinese tourists visit New York, and a large number of Chinese students attend the State's exceptional institutions of higher learning; people in both countries are seeking broader and deeper exchanges and cooperation; and WHEREAS, The new model of major-country relationship between the US and China is built on mutual respect and win-win cooperation while avoiding conflicts and confrontations; and WHEREAS, The Chinese community has become increasingly significant and one of the fastest growing communities in the State of New York and Governor Cuomo signed the law in December 2014 to make Chinese New Year a public school holiday; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize the ongoing all-around relationship between New York and China as serving mutual interests in a reciprocal manner; to warmly welcome Consul General Ambassador Zhang Qiyue and members of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce to the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York on