China's unique culture serves as a bridge to US mainstream

The Chinese community in the Bay Area is still in a festive mood although Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his state visit to the US last week and returned to Beijing.

Actually, some already have made pioneering efforts to help facilitate a better and smoother China-US relationship through a variety of formats, be it diplomatic, culture or trade.

Many took California Governor Jerry Brown's unexpected and unprecedented attendance at the grand reception on Sept 28, which was sponsored by the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco to celebrate China’s National Day on Oct 1, as iconic and symbolic goodwill that the Golden State wants to cement its already solid ties with the world’s second-largest economy.

"We are especially honored to have the governor here tonight — we all know that Brown did not participate in any national holiday celebrations of this kind in the past," said Consul General Luo Linquan during his welcoming remarks.

Brown's appearance at the reception has delivered lot of important messages to the governments investors and businesses – California and China have forged such an interdependent relationship over the years, and it only will become stronger and closer.

In response, Brown said China and the United States were two of the great powers of the world and were cooperating in many areas, including trade, climate change and technological innovation.

"President Xi's state visit to the United States was very successful," said Brown. "I'm honored by the separate meeting with President Xi in Seattle. The state of California was ready to further develop a mutually beneficial relationship with China," he added.

In a meeting with Chinese Americans in Seattle on Sept 23, Xi praised the persistent efforts of overseas Chinese to advance the bilateral relationship since 1979, and expressed wishes that they can actively integrate themselves into mainstream US society, abide by local laws, respect local customs, get along well with people of other races and help promote the social and economic development of local communities.

"Overseas Chinese should popularize the Chinese culture, deepen the American people's understanding about China and consolidate public support for bilateral ties," Xi said.

"I totally agree with President Xi in terms of the role our overseas Chinese should and could play in terms of promoting the China-US relationship,” said Luo Ping, a financial professional who works for a public trading company in San Jose. "I believe cultural exchanges could be something that we can do well."

On Oct 3, Luo and her similarly minded team sent a comprehensive line-up of Chinese cultural activities, martial arts, calligraphy demonstration, folk dance and traditional face-changing from Sichuan province to the seventh International Children's Festival.

"We have such a profound culture which is not well interpreted in the West," said Luo. "It's our responsibility to demonstrate what the real China is like and why we and our children should be proud of being Chinese and carrying on our culture."

In two weeks of hectic preparation, the organizers reached out to the Chinese community to locate the best calligraphers, dancers, performers and families.

The 5,000-strong turnout on Oct 3 and the long lines in front of the Wonderful China booth have proven “our efforts of promoting Chinese culture have paid off,” said Luo and her team. “Many told me that they are fascinated by Chinese dances, martial arts and face-changing.”

Luo said more cultural promotions and exchanges with local communities are planned. "We are taking baby steps to walk out of our own community and learn how to communicate with the mainstream societies in the US."

Contact the writer at junechang@chinadailyusa.com