On December 2 local time, a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) embarked on a visit to the United States. This visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first CCPIT delegation's trip to the U.S. In 1975, the CCPIT delegation visited the United States, becoming the first semi-official trade delegation dispatched by China following the signing of the Shanghai Communiqué in 1972. The delegation received a warm welcome wherever it went. Then-U.S. President Gerald Ford met with the delegation at the White House, accompanied by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and others. State and city leaders, as well as representatives from business and financial circles, engaged in enthusiastic exchanges with the delegation in a friendly atmosphere.

Over the past 50 years, China-U.S. economic and trade relations have achieved remarkable progress. In 1975, before the establishment of diplomatic ties, CCPIT served as the designated “window” for China-U.S. trade, facilitating private-sector exchanges between the two nations. Today, after years of development, the economies of China and the United States have become deeply integrated. In 2024, bilateral goods trade between China and the U.S. reached $688.28 billion, 275 times the level at the time of diplomatic normalization in 1979. Bilateral investment stock exceeded $260 billion, with over 70,000 U.S. companies operating in China and generating annual profits exceeding $50 billion. This represents a tremendous leap compared to 50 years ago.

Today, China is the third-largest market for U.S. goods exports and the largest source of the U.S. services trade surplus. Exports to China support over 862,000 U.S. jobs, while China is also the second-largest source of U.S. imports. High-quality, affordable Chinese goods have enriched U.S. store shelves, delivering tangible benefits to American consumers, while U.S. goods and services have expanded choices for Chinese consumers.

Over these five decades, China's economic development has achieved historic accomplishments. In 1975, China ranked as the world's ninth-largest economy, with an economic output less than 10% of the United States' at the time. Today, China stands as the world's second-largest economy. In recent years, China's contribution to global economic growth has consistently remained around 30%, making it a vital engine for worldwide economic expansion. In the first three quarters of 2025, China's economy grew by 5.2% year-on-year, ranking among the top major economies globally.

In recent years, the world has witnessed accelerated changes unseen in a century, with international trade and economy facing challenges from unilateralism, protectionism, and instability and uncertainty. Since 2025, Sino-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs, with bilateral economic and trade ties undergoing twists and turns. On October 30 this year, President Xi Jinping and President Trump met in Busan, recalibrating the direction of Sino-U.S. relations and reaching important consensus on promoting practical economic and trade cooperation, providing reassurance to the business communities of both countries.

Over the past 50 years, the enthusiasm for cooperation among Chinese and American business communities has remained unchanged. In 1975, then-U.S. Secretary of Commerce Morton expressed delight at the development of bilateral trade during a meeting with the entire delegation, voicing full confidence in the future of Sino-U.S. trade. During the second visit of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade delegation to the U.S. in 1977, many people traveled from other cities specifically to meet with the delegation, and numerous manufacturers vied to invite the delegation to tour their factories. The CCPIT delegation also used the visit to engage extensively with American business circles, touring seven U.S. cities to gain deeper insights into the American market. They held in-depth discussions with the U.S.-China Business Council on trade personnel exchanges, mutual exhibitions, and establishing representative offices.

Over half a century, the CCPIT and its American partners have maintained communication, deepened mutual understanding, strengthened friendship, and walked hand in hand. Since November 2025, CCPIT has collaborated with U.S. counterparts to organize a series of business exchanges, including the 2025 Health Economy and Innovation Development Dialogue co-hosted by the China Council for International Trade and the U.S.-China Business Council, as well as the China-U.S. Healthcare and Insurance Industry Roundtable co-organized by CCPIT and the U.S. Embassy in China. Businesses from both nations have enthusiastically participated, expressing strong expectations for stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

Amid the new global economic landscape, Chinese and American enterprises continue to demonstrate strong willingness to cooperate. Many U.S. companies have established deep roots in China, collaborating closely with Chinese partners to pursue shared development. Chinese enterprises are also actively investing in the United States. A Hurun Research Institute report indicates that 50% of surveyed U.S. companies view China as their second-largest revenue source globally, an increase of 9 percentage points from the previous year. When China's comprehensive industrial system and robust production capacity meet America's strong industrial foundation and technological expertise, the success stories of Sino-U.S. industrial cooperation are truly countless.

The United States is a major global toy market, and within the art toy industry, its consumer market holds immense potential and influence. The impact of American pop culture worldwide cannot be underestimated," stated Wen Deyi, Senior Vice President and President of International Business at Pop Mart International Group. On November 27, 2025, the company's IP Labubu made its debut at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, drawing significant attention from countless fans.

“HP maintains a robust manufacturing base in China, with operations serving both the domestic market and multiple countries worldwide,” stated HP President and CEO Enrique Lores, emphasizing the company's commitment to deepening its roots in China. Currently, HP operates the world's largest computer and printer manufacturing facilities in China.

Against the backdrop of deepening globalization, collaboration within industrial and supply chains has increasingly become a focal point for enterprises worldwide. Since 2023, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) has consecutively hosted three editions of the China International Supply Chain Expo (hereinafter referred to as the “Supply Chain Expo”). The event has evolved into a globally acclaimed international economic and trade gathering and a widely recognized international public good. At each edition, American enterprises and institutions have consistently ranked first among overseas exhibitors. Notable American companies and associations such as Apple, Qualcomm, HP, Starbucks, and the U.S. Soybean Export Association have participated in all three editions of the Chain Expo, demonstrating their commitment to the Chinese market and supply chain while deepening relationships with Chinese supply chain partners through this platform. In November 2024, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated during a pre-opening visit to Apple's booth at the second CIFIT that “without China's supply chain partners, Apple would not be where it is today.” This remark vividly illustrates the broadened industrial and supply chain cooperation between China and the U.S. under new circumstances.

This visit comes shortly after the conclusion of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the Busan summit between the leaders of China and the U.S. The delegation comprises over 20 enterprises from diverse sectors including agriculture and food, machinery and electronics, financial services, cross-border trade, logistics and transportation, biopharmaceuticals, and trend-setting culture. They will engage in extensive exchanges with U.S. government and business circles, participate in multiple Sino-U.S. business community events, and actively introduce China's new initiatives for pursuing high-quality development and high-level opening-up to various U.S. stakeholders. Through face-to-face communication, we hope to build trust, dispel doubts, deepen cooperation, expand the list of collaborative projects, and grow the pie of cooperation.

Fifty years have passed in the blink of an eye. While the global economic and trade landscape has undergone rapid evolution and China-U.S. economic and trade relations have developed significantly, the mutually beneficial and win-win nature of China-U.S. economic and trade ties, as well as the willingness of the business communities of both countries to engage in exchanges and cooperation, remain unchanged. As President Xi Jinping has pointed out, the principle that “cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both” has been repeatedly validated by practice, and the reality of “mutual achievement and shared prosperity” between China and the U.S. is tangible and visible. The visit of the Chinese business delegation is injecting more positive energy into Sino-US business cooperation.