2009 Gala

At the 2009 Gala Dinner on December 3, the National Committee honored ITT Corporation and Google Inc. at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City.

To view pictures click here. For speeches by the honorees and keynote speaker, click on the PDF links at the bottom of this drawer.

ITT Corporation was recognized for deploying its technology to address water distress following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and for its start-up efforts in China under ITT Watermark, a program to provide safe water solutions – new wells, improved sanitation facilities and hygiene education – to schools in water-stressed regions.

Google Inc. was recognized for opening up new horizons for millions of Chinese Internet users through its English and Chinese search engines, giving them access to new technologies and information, for complying locally while operating globally and engaging in a transparent manner in China.

Click on the photos below to view captions.

More than 300 people, including business leaders, public officials and senior Chinese diplomats, gathered to take note of some of the significant milestones in Sino-American relations. It was also an occasion for The Honorable Zhou Wenzhong, China's ambassador to the United States, to address the current status of this important bilateral relationship.

The annual Gala provides a significant source of support for the National Committee, a non-partisan organization that seeks to promote better understanding between China and the United States by creating opportunities for informed discussions regarding issues of vital importance.

Click here to see a slideshow of more pictures from the 2009 Gala.

2009 GALA SPONSORS
Co-Chairs Click to connect
Leaders Click to connect
Benefactors
Patrons Dorsey & Whitney LLP Gerald Abell Foundation Hills & Company Intel Corporation Jones Day Levcor International Johnson & Johnson PepsiCo Tishman Speyer 2009 GALA DINNER COMMITTEE Honorary Co-Chairs The Honorable George H.W. Bush The Honorable James Earl Carter, Jr. Honorary Vice Chairs
The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright The Honorable Michael H. Armacost The Honorable James A. Baker, III The Honorable W. Michael Blumenthal The Honorable David L. Boren The Honorable Zbigniew Brzezinski Mrs. Barbara Bush The Honorable Warren Christopher Mr. David R. Gergen The Honorable Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The Honorable Lee H. Hamilton The Honorable Carla A. Hills The Honorable Michael Kantor The Honorable Thomas H. Kean The Honorable Henry A. Kissinger The Honorable James R. Lilley Mr. I. M. Pei The Honorable William J. Perry General Colin L. Powell The Honorable Joseph W. Prueher The Honorable Clark T. Randt, Jr. The Honorable J. Stapleton Roy The Honorable Matt Salmon The Honorable James R. Sasser Professor Robert Scalapino General Brent Scowcroft The Honorable George P. Shultz Dr. Ezra Vogel Mr. Paul A. Volcker The Honorable John C. Whitehead

2008 Gala

On October 21, 2008, NYSE Euronext CEO Duncan Niederauer and Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. were honored for their work with China at the National Committee gala dinner on October 24 in New York City. Secretary Paulson delivered the keynote address to the audience of over 350 guests, and his remarks on the global economy and financial markets, economic relations with China and the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue were covered by more than seventy journalists from thirty-five media outlets and networks.

Duncan L. Niederauer joined NYSE Euronext in April 2007. Under his leadership, NYSE Euronext became the first non-Chinese exchange to open a Representative Office in Beijing and increased its number of listed companies from Greater China to 57, representing a market capitalization of more than $1 trillion. Duncan Niederauer and NYSE Euronext were presented with two works by prominent Chinese-American artist Weihong, which will be displayed at the New York Stock Exchange.

Secretary Paulson has led the Department of the Treasury since July 2006, and has served as the leader of the U.S. delegation to the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) since its inception in 2006. The SED has initiated work on central policy issues that include investment, energy and environmental cooperation, and food and product safety. Secretary Paulson has traveled to China more than 60 times over the course of his public service and private sector careers.

2007 Gala

The National Committee and 400 guests at its 2007 Gala Dinner saluted the contributions of two business leaders for their support of productive U.S.-China relations.

The event, held on the evening of October 24 in New York City, honored Michael T. Duke, vice chairman of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Peter G. Peterson, co-founder and senior chairman of The Blackstone Group L.P. As vice chairman of Wal-Mart, Mike Duke has helped expand the range of affordable choices available to Chinese consumers. Pete Peterson, a giant in the field of finance, and his colleagues negotiated a groundbreaking investment by China’s central bank into The Blackstone Group. The work of these honorees’ demonstrates the benefits that flow to both sides of the Pacific through improved U.S.-China relations and increasing business and financial bonds.

Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte was the evening’s keynote speaker. In his remarks, he identified five major challenges that will require Sino-American cooperation now and in the generation to come: combating terrorism; weak, poorly governed and failing states; ensuring continued global economic prosperity; enforcement of non-proliferation norms; and the combined challenge of energy security, economic growth and climate change. He said the administration actively invites China “to play a larger role on the international stage to ensure stability and prosperity long into the future by confronting global challenges together.”

Elegantly beautiful calligraphy was presented to both honorees. The works of art were gifts from Zhuang Zedong, China’s most famous ping pong player and a talented artist. Mr. Zhuang was the leader of the 1972 team that made history by coming to the United States for a month-long tour, sponsored by the National Committee and U.S. Table Tennis Association.

The Gala is an important source of unrestricted support for Committee programs. For the third consecutive year, the Gala raised more than $1 million, thanks to the generous support of nearly 50 companies and dozens of individuals. The National Committee gratefully acknowledges their contributions.

Past Gala Keynote Addresses