美國華商總會簡介

美國華商總會是於中美建交初年在美國加州政府註冊，以愛國華僑商人為主體的非牟利團體。英文名為Chinese American Association of Commerce (簡稱CAAC)。

 本會以促進華人社會福利，推動中美經貿、文化交流，促進中美友好，構建和諧僑社為宗旨。

1980年2月5日，本會舉行成立大會暨首屆董事職員宣誓就職。時任三藩市市長（後任國會參議員）範士丹出席大會並擔任監誓人；中國駐舊金山總領事胡定一致詞。同年5月，中國駐美首任全權大使柴澤民到任後首次訪問本會。隨後，得總領館協助，本會率先組團赴華考察，洽談經貿合作，得到上海市汪道涵市長等各地政府部門領導的盛情接待。自此發起了華僑華人回鄉投資設廠辦企業的熱潮。為進一步助推美中經貿合作，本會派出代表赴首都華盛頓出席「關於給予中國最惠國待遇」聽證會，發言支持布殊總統延長中國最惠國待遇，並在各大報章發表公開信。嗣後，又去信敦促美國貿易代表團理性協商處理美中兩國間知識產權問題。發揮民間力量，致力推動中美經貿文化的互動交流。先後接待了王首道為團長的中國經濟代表團及各省、市、自治區政府部門眾多訪美團體。早期到訪本會的各界人士有：全國政協副主席王首道、河南省委書記徐光春、廣東省長黃華華、香港特首董建華；國務院僑辦主任廖暉、郭東坡、李海峰、裘援平；中國僑聯主席林軍，副主席唐聞生；廣東省僑辦主任吳銳成；廣東僑聯主席陳毓錚；廣州市市長黎子流、常務副市長陳開枝；中國駐美大使柴澤民、章文晉、李道豫、周文重、李肇星；以及中國女排隊長郎平、舞蹈家陳愛蓮、香港鏡報社長徐四民、香港新華社副社長張浚生、中英聯絡小組中方代表陳佐洱香港文匯報社長陳雲楓、五邑大學校長葉家康等。與此同時，本會先後邀請並主辦中國武術隊、中國女排、中民族藝術團、四川歌舞團、南京小紅花、中華情等藝術團體訪美及「同一首歌」兩度走進舊金山大型演出活動。並組織華裔青少年訪華尋根及僑胞回鄉旅遊觀光；贊助支持本地華文學校文化建設，舉辦「華商杯」青少年書畫大賽，弘揚中華傳統文化；有力促進兩國文化交流及中美友好。

40多年來，本會聯合愛國僑團，主導成立了「舊金山灣區各界華僑華人慶祝中華人民共和國國慶委員會」、「舊金山灣區各界華僑華人賑災委員會」、「支持北京申辦奧運會美西委員會」、「舊金山灣區各界華僑華人春節聯歡晚會」等。每年舉辦「十.一」國慶升旗典禮、全僑慶祝宴會及大慶巡遊；春節聯歡晚會；慶祝香港、澳門回歸；反獨促統；以及賑災抗災抗疫，支援祖（籍）國建設等系列活動。積極參與維護華人華僑權益，努力促進僑社和諧安定。本會的各項活動均獲得了美中主流社會的重視和肯定，贏得了華人社區和廣大僑胞的支持和贊譽。

Introduction to the Chinese American Association of Commerce (CAAC)

The Chinese American Association of Commerce (CAAC) is a non-profit organization primarily composed of patriotic Chinese American merchants. Registered with the California state government in the early years following the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the association is dedicated to promoting the welfare of the Chinese community, advancing bilateral economic, trade, and cultural exchanges, fostering U.S.-China friendship, and building a harmonious immigrant community.

Historical Milestones and Economic & Trade Cooperation

On February 5, 1980, the CAAC held its inaugural ceremony and the swearing-in of its first Board of Directors and officers. The event was attended by Dianne Feinstein, then-Mayor of San Francisco (who later became a U.S. Senator), who served as the oath administrator, alongside an address delivered by Hu Dingyi, China’s Consul General in San Francisco. In May of the same year, Chai Zemin, China's first Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the United States, paid his first official visit to the association upon taking office.

Subsequently, with the assistance of the Chinese Consulate General, the CAAC took the initiative to organize the first delegation to China for research and trade discussions. The delegation received a warm welcome from local government leaders, including Wang Daohan, the Mayor of Shanghai. This visit sparked a massive wave of Chinese overseas investing, setting up factories, and establishing businesses back in their ancestral hometowns.

To further boost U.S.-China economic and trade ties, the CAAC dispatched representatives to Washington, D.C., to attend congressional hearings regarding the extension of China's Most Favored Nation (MFN) status. Representatives spoke in support of President Bush’s extension of MFN status and published open letters in major newspapers. Later, the association sent letters urging the U.S. Trade Representative delegation to engage in rational negotiations regarding intellectual property issues between the two nations, leveraging grassroots power to drive mutual economic and cultural engagement.

Prominent Visitors and Cultural Exchanges

Over the years, the CAAC has hosted numerous delegations visiting the United States from various provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China, including an economic delegation led by Wang Shoudao. Distinguished figures who visited the association in its early years include:

• State and Government Leaders: Wang Shoudao (Vice Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee), Xu Guangchun (Party Secretary of Henan Province), Huang Huahua (Governor of Guangdong Province), and Tung Chee-hwa (Chief Executive of Hong Kong).

• Overseas Chinese Affairs Officials: Liao Hui, Guo Dongpo, Li Haifeng, and Qiu Yuanping (Directors of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council); Lin Jun (Chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese) and Vice Chair Tang Wensheng; Wu Ruicheng (Director of the Guangdong Overseas Chinese Affairs Office); and Chen Yuzheng (Chairman of the Guangdong Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese).

• Municipal Leaders: Li Ziliu (Mayor of Guangzhou) and Chen Kaizhi (Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou).

• Diplomats: Chinese Ambassadors to the U.S. Chai Zemin, Zhang Wenjin, Li Daoyu, Zhou Wenzhong, and Li Zhaoxing.

• Cultural, Sports, and Media Figures: Lang Ping (Captain of the China Women's Volleyball Team), Chen Ailian (renowned dancer), Xu Simin (Director of Hong Kong's The Mirror magazine), Zhang Junosheng (Deputy Director of Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch), Chen Zuo'er (Chinese representative of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group), Chen Yunfeng (President of Hong Kong Wen Wei Po), and Ye Jiakang (President of Wuyi University).

Simultaneously, the CAAC has invited and hosted prominent Chinese cultural and sports groups to tour the United States, including the China National Martial Arts Team, the China Women's Volleyball Team, the China National Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble, the Sichuan Song and Dance Theater, the Nanjing "Little Red Flower" Art Troupe, and the "China Soul" art troupe. It also organized the large-scale concert event "Same Song," which came to San Francisco twice.

Furthermore, the association organizes root-seeking roots for Chinese-American youth to visit China, coordinates sightseeing tours for overseas Chinese back to their hometowns, sponsors cultural programs in local Chinese language schools, and hosts the "CAAC Cup" Youth Calligraphy and Painting Competition to carry forward traditional Chinese culture, effectively enhancing bilateral cultural exchanges and friendship.

Community Contributions and Social Welfare

For over 40 years, the CAAC has united with fellow patriotic community organizations to spearhead the establishment of key coalitions, including:

• The San Francisco Bay Area Chinese Community Committee for Celebrating the National Day of the People's Republic of China

• The San Francisco Bay Area Chinese Community Disaster Relief Committee

• The Western U.S. Committee Supporting Beijing's Bid for the Olympics

• The San Francisco Bay Area Chinese Community Lunar New Year Gala Committee

Every year, the association organizes the October 1st National Day flag-raising ceremony, community-wide celebratory banquets, and grand parades. It also hosts Lunar New Year galas, celebrates the anniversaries of Hong Kong and Macau's return to China, promotes peaceful reunification, and drives efforts in disaster relief, pandemic response, and supporting the development of their ancestral homeland.

By actively participating in safeguarding the rights and interests of Chinese Americans and working diligently to foster a harmonious and stable community, the CAAC’s diverse initiatives have garnered deep respect and recognition from mainstream societies in both the United States and China, earning the steadfast support and praise of the local Chinese community and overseas compatriots at large.

by:Gemini