The 2025 China-California Business Forum took place in Los Angeles, focusing on cooperation in trade, investment, and climate action. Officials and business leaders from both sides attended the event amid growing global economic uncertainty.
The forum, now in its seventh year, operates under the China Provinces and US California Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment Cooperation. This year, Fujian province was the Guest Province of Honor. Several new agreements were signed in areas such as trade, education, and green development.
Chinese Consul General Guo Shaochun emphasized the long-standing economic relationship between China and California. In 2023, California exported goods worth $15.1 billion and services worth $8.8 billion to China. Around 40 percent of China-US goods trade passes through the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, supporting many jobs across the state.
Guo also highlighted China’s role as the ninth-largest source of foreign direct investment in California. These investments support more than 25,000 jobs. Additionally, over 50,000 Chinese students are currently studying in California, contributing to the state’s education sector and local economy.
California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin shared plans for a new demonstration project using battery-swapping technology for electric trucks. This technology, already used in China, allows trucks to replace empty batteries with fully charged ones in minutes.
Omishakin also spoke about ongoing cooperation on green shipping. California and Shanghai are working together to reduce emissions on one of the world’s busiest shipping routes—the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Shanghai corridor. A forum held in March focused on this initiative, which aims to improve sustainability in global trade.
Fujian Vice-Governor Wang Jinfu said the province is deepening ties with California through trade, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Fujian exports textiles, shoes, and furniture to the US, while California’s high-tech and agricultural goods are welcomed in China. He said both sides have complementary products that create natural trade advantages.
He also recalled the historical Guling story, a symbol of the lasting friendship between the US and China. Guling, also known as Kuliang, is a historic summer resort in Fujian where many US families once lived. Their descendants now work to preserve this shared cultural bond through the “Kuliang Friends” group.
Dilpreet Sidhu, deputy mayor of international affairs for Los Angeles, recently led a delegation to the 2025 Shanghai International Friendship Cities Forum. She announced the relaunch of Delta Airlines’ direct flights between Shanghai Pudong and Los Angeles International Airport, with the first flight scheduled to depart tomorrow.
Sidhu noted that Los Angeles is continuing partnerships with Chinese cities in areas like education, tourism, and climate policy. She also highlighted upcoming global events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games as new chances for collaboration.
Maria Salinas, president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, said the forum comes at an important time. Despite political challenges, she said California’s ties with Chinese provinces have brought real progress in clean energy, logistics, and investment.
Jim Wunderman, president of the Bay Area Council, also stressed the value of post-pandemic recovery through stronger US-China partnerships. He said both countries have much to gain from cooperation rather than competition.
The forum closed with a shared commitment to building more practical partnerships in trade, clean energy, education, and transportation.
