On July 15, Promotion of Specialty Industries of Ningxia, China was held in Chinese Consulate in New York with a success. Huang Ping, Consul General of China in New York, graced the occasion and delivered an address. Bai Yuzhen, Director-General of the Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office (NXFAO), Amir Farid Abu Hassan, Consul General of Malaysia in New York, and Jeannette M. Wing, Executive Vice President for Research at Columbia University, attended the promotion and delivered speeches respectively. Wen Xuehui, Deputy Director-General of the Administrative Committee of Ningxia (Helan Mountains’ Eastern Foot) Wine Industry Park, and Ding Jian, Owner of Jade Vineyard, gave themed presentations. Over 120 guests attended the event, including consul generals from Kazakhstan, Georgia, Argentina and other countries in New York, representatives from Chinese communities in New York, and prominent figures from education, science and technology, trade and economic circles in east US, along with members of the press.

Huang Ping extended warm welcome to the delegation from Ningxia. He noted that Ningxia, a treasure land in west China, is an important stop along the Belt and Road and a highland for opening up in west China. In recent years, Ningxia has actively engaged in Belt and Road cooperation and witnessed an uplift in opening up as an inland region. Of particular note are the region’s booming specialty industries such as wine and goji berry which have contributed remarkably to the employment of relocated residents, common prosperity and environmental protection, becoming important signatures of Ningxia’s opening up.

Commencing her speech by noting President Xi Jinping’s care and support for Ningxia, Bai Yuzhen briefed the attendees on Ningxia’s natural resources, history and culture, and efforts in promoting ethnic unity and opening up. With a focus on Ningxia’s modern industrial system pillared by the six emerging industries, six specialty agricultural industries, six priority industries + N, she told stories of Ningxia’s endeavors in advancing Chinese modernization. Bai also expressed her hope to deepen China-US cultural exchanges through people-to-people friendship and inject impetus to follow through on the San Francisco Vision.

Wen Xuehui deeply impressed the guests by presenting the rapid development of the wine region at the eastern foot of the Helan Mountains from five aspects including favorable terroir, the art of wine-making and robust international exchanges, etc.

Ding Jian passionately recounted her journey of establishing a wine business at the foot of the Helan Mountains, driven by her profound affection for wine and nature. Her ambition to produce wines that encapsulate the unique character and essence of China greatly captivated the guests.

In the wine tasting session, attending guests, alongside with Huang Ping and Bai Yuzhen, spoke highly of Ningxia wine’s quality after tasting eleven red wines from seven vineyards at the eastern foot of the Helan Mountains including the Jade Vineyard. They talked with the Ningxia delegation and expressed desire to cooperate in areas such as international promotion and import agency, with the aim of introducing premium wine from Ningxia, China to a broader American audience.

The promotion is a concrete step by the NXFAO to fully implement the instructions of President Xi Jinping when visiting Ningxia. With the strong support of the Consulate General of China in New York, the NXFAO has explored a new way for the distinctive and differentiated development of the region’s specialty industries, adding more substance to its signature program of “foreign affairs + specialty industries”. The promotion, the second of its kind held in New York, has showcased a vibrant, open, promising and beautiful Ningxia. Acting as a window through which a more thorough understanding of a harmonious China featuring Chinese modernization can be gained, the promotion has greatly elevated sub-national exchanges and cooperation between China and the US.