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 Gala 2009 Speeches to the right on this page.

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
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Leaders
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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

at a glance

  • Event Date: December 3, 2009; 6:30 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. dinner
  • Type: Public Outreach
  • Category: Gala
  • Location: The Mandarin Oriental, New York City

2009 Gala Speeches
2008 Gala
2007 Gala
Past Gala Keynotes