Building bridges across the Pacific: Subnational unity and goodwill highlight 77th anniversary

Chinese diplomats, US officials and community leaders pledged to build stronger and more enduring bridges of friendship and cooperation on Tuesday night at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, a city known worldwide for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

At an event marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chinese Consul General Zhang Jianmin in his opening remarks pointed to the 77th National Day milestone as a testament to decades of China's high-quality economic development, modernization and international cooperation. 

Citing China's achievements in economic resilience, technological innovation and green transition, Zhang outlined China's ongoing contributions to global development.

China's GDP surpassed 140 trillion yuan ($20.1 trillion) in 2025, with 4.7 percent growth in the first half of the year contributing approximately 30 percent to global economic growth, Zhang said, adding that China's openness initiatives include 23 pilot free trade zones, the fully operational Hainan Free Trade Port and zero-tariff policies for 63 nations.

Meanwhile, China continues to advance as a global leader in technology, with open-source AI models achieving over 10 billion downloads and robotics expanding into critical public safety roles like search and rescue. The "New New Three" industries — AI, robotics and innovative medicine — are delivering benefits globally.

Highlighting San Francisco's unique position as a gateway to North America, Zhang stressed that stable China-US relations directly benefit the peoples of both nations.

"The history of China-US relations proves that both nations stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation," he said. "As we celebrate the 77th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win outcomes. Local engagement and economic ties — particularly right here in San Francisco — continue to show us that our shared interests far outweigh our differences."

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie echoed Zhang, emphasizing that the mutual relationship between China and the city is vigorous and robust.

"San Francisco is a city known around the world for its bridges — the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge are iconic," Lurie said. "But the most important bridge in San Francisco is not made of steel; they are made between people."

After celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Horse with the Chinese American community, Lurie in April chose Shanghai for his first international trip as mayor, honoring more than four decades of an official sister-city partnership built on mutual investment and friendship. 

In June, Lurie recounted that San Francisco hosted the 8th China-US Sister Cities Conference, drawing over 300 civic, cultural and business leaders from both nations to foster direct dialogue despite broader geopolitical complexities.

"At a time when the bilateral relationship can be complicated, hundreds of people still cross the Pacific, sit down, exchange ideas and ask a simple question: what can we build together?" Lurie said, calling it the true power of sister-city relationships and partnership. 

Shen Xi, vice-president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, believed civil associations played an indispensable role in maintaining durable friendships. He reiterated that true diplomacy originates through everyday interactions among students, artists, business leaders and local communities.

"No matter how the external environment changes, the goodwill between the Chinese and American people remains genuine and strong. We will continue to expand avenues for cultural exchanges, educational programs and youth visits to ensure that our friendship endures across generations," Shen said.

Firsthand, immersive experiences remain the most effective way to eliminate misunderstandings, build trust and ensure subnational ties thrive for generations to come, he added.

junechang@chinadailyusa.com