President George H. W. Bush; Siva Yam, President; Prescott s. Bush, Jr., Founder and Chairman 1993-2003
The Hon. Haley Barbour, Former Governor of Mississippi, spoke at US-China-Japan Automotive Conference and was high level delegation from China
At the invitation of President George W. Bush, USCCC led a delegation to the White House to honor the visit of His Excellency Wen Jiabao, former Premier from China.
President George H. W. Bush; Siva Yam, President; Prescott s. Bush, Jr., Founder and Chairman 1993-2003
Founded in 1993 in St. Louis by the late Prescott Sheldon Bush, Jr., United States of America-China Chamber of Commerce (USCCC) has evolved and grown into a well-recognized, bi-national membership organization with representation in major cities both in the U.S. and China. It is known for its impartiality, honesty, and diversity. In the last 30 years, USCCC has worked relentlessly to promote the understanding between the peoples of the U.S. and China through increased trade and investment and has assisted over 20,000 businesses and individuals in their pursuits of cross-border opportunities. It has expanded its reach to other nations with a focus on the emerging economies, notably, Vietnam, the Philippines and others in Asia Pacific. USCCC has established a sister organization, U.S.-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce in 2017 and is in the process of setting up operation in the Philippines. Today, over 10,000 companies and professionals maintain active dialog with the organization. Of whom, 98% are U.S. corporations, and 90% are in manufacturing. USCCC has repositioned itself in 2024 and will proactively expand its business and social network, expedite trade and ecommerce, and facilitate cross-border financing activities.
Events
Upcoming Events
23rd Annual U.S.-China Trade Conference
"Trade in the Landscape of New Technologies
and Volatile Geopolitics"
Outstanding Achievement Award
Juan Gonzalez
Chairman and CEO, Gruma Corporation / Mission Foods
Thursday & Friday, September 12 & 13, 2024
The Union League Clube of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
About Juan Gonzalez
Mr. Juan González Moreno, Chairman and CEO of GRUMA – Mission Foods Corporation, who has been a Director of the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years, will be honored during lunch as the Recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award. GRUMA is a Mexican multinational corn flour (masa) and tortilla manufacturing company headquartered in San Pedro, near Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Its brand names include Mission Foods (Misión in Mexico), Maseca, and Guerrero. With 72 plants around the world including China and representation in 110 countries, GRUMA is the world’s largest and most recognizable tortilla and corn flour producer. [Read More]
Repositioning After 30 Years and New Board of Directors
USCCC, which was founded by the late Prescott Sheldon Bush, Jr. 30 years ago with the mission dedicated to developing increased U.S.-China trade and investment activities, has recently been repositioned to reflect the fundamental changes in the international economic environment. USCCC will be repositioned to directly engage companies and professionals commercially to conduct successful cross border business activities . We are expanding our network, better managing our database, proactively identifying opportunities, and aligning resources more effectively and efficiently.
As part of our repositioning, we have recently formed a new Board of Directors to provide stronger leadership and resources. We will continue to add members to our Board diligently. In addition, we have established the first Advisory Board and are in the process of setting up subcommittees with specific missions to facilitate trade and investment in targeted segments.
We are honored that the some of the most senior and experienced business leaders have accepted our invitations to serve on our Board of Directors and Advisory Board. USCCC will continue to build its boards and form new committees to better serve its members and the community in the new digital era. [List of Directors and Advisors]
22nd Annual U.S.-China Trade Conference Another Success and Lou Longo, Engagement Partner Honored
USCCC is pleased that its 22nd Annual U.S.-China Trade Conference that was held on July 13 and 14 was another success. During the luncheon, Lou Longo, CPA, Lead Consulting Partner, Global Service at Plante Moran and a Director of USCCC, was recognized for his leadership and his contribution to U.S.-China business. Lou, a true professional with a passion for humanitarian missions that support malnourished people in underdeveloped countries, is the leader of Plante Moran’s international team. His commitment to his clients’ best interest has earned his team an AICPA Practice Innovation Award. He is also a strong advocate for racial and gender equity, and despite a very busy international travel schedule, he serves as Plante Moran’s chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, and he was featured on Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2023 list of Notable Leaders in DEI.
About 100 business owners and corporate executives attended the conference and shared their experiences. 90% of them are principal owners, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, director of global sourcing, marketing. Over 25 practitioners with in-depth experience spoke at this extraordinary event. The Honorable Zhao Jian, Consul General of PRC in Chicago delivered a morning keynote speech. This annual event addressed many timely issues that were critical in making informed decisions in today's dynamic and unpredictable business environment. 23rd Annual U.S.-China Trade Conference on September 12 and 13 in Chicago. Please save the date. Selected conference materials for past events will be posted shortly.
Announcements
China Alerts
Document Authentication
For foreign issued documents to be used in China legally, they had to be authenticated by Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the past. China has become a full member of the Hague Convention effective November 7, 2023, and foreign issued documents will NO longer need to be authenticated by the Chinese Consular Service. They will simply be apostilled by the state that has jurisdiction over the origination of the documents. USCCC continues to provide authentication services for other countries and apostille services with the states. For additional information, please contact our office.
Travel to China
Updated Process in Applying for a Chinese Visa
I strongly advise you to apply for the Chinese visa ASAP if you do need to make a trip in the next 45 days and currently do not have a valid visa as the process is complicated and requires time. Please note that if you are holding a valid visa, such as 10-year multiple entries, you can use your current visa and will NOT require to apply for a new visa to enter China. Please contact our office if you have any questions.
The Chinese Embassy and Consulates have been reopened, and applications for visa must now be submitted in person either by the applicant or a third party. Please note that the application new form is 8 pages, and a number of documents are required. You can download the file below, which contains detailed information and tips to help you navigate the process, save time, and minimize rejection. The Chinese consulate, however, may require additional information and may have additional questions after reviewing your application. You should also visit the Chinese Embassy and Consulates website for additional information.
USCCC provides courier hand carry service to submit the Chinese visa applications to save you at least two trips to the Chinese Consulate and will also guide you to obtain your visa expeditiously.
For more information, please download the following guidelines
Elimination of certain COVID related requirements
for entering and exiting China
COVID Vaccination is no longer required to enter China.
China has also removed all pre-entry COVID testing requirements.
Both inbound and outbound travelers no longer need to file a health declaration form with customs.
Resumption of Visas Issued Before March 28, 2020.
The suspension of valid visas issued before March 28, 2020 during COVID has been lifted on March 15, 2023. If you are holding a valid visa, you can travel to China without applying for a new one.
If your valid visa is on an old, expired passport, you can travel to China with BOTH the expired passport that has the visa and a current valid passport provided personal information on both passports are identical.
In the past, if you did not want to carry both passports, you could cancel your current valid visa and apply for a new 10-year multiple entry visa so that the new valid visa will be on your new passport. As of this time, unless your current valid Chinese has less than 6 months left, you will not be abel to apply for a new visa. Please contact our office for further information.
Temporary Reduction of Visa Fee
A temporary reduction of visa fees from $185 to $140 ($45) has become effective from December 11, 2023, to December 31, 2024.
Elimination of Certain Required Documents
For tourist visas, applicants no longer require proof of round-trip airfare, hotel bookings or itinerary.
Five Optimized Visa Measures
Relaxed conditions for foreign nationals applying for port visas for most visitors who are unable to obtain a visa beforehand due to time constraints. They may now apply for a port visa at a port visa authority with an invitation letter and other accompanying documents.
Foreign nationals eligible for the 24-hour visa-free transit policy are exempt from border inspection at nine international airports in China
Foreign nationals already in China can apply for visa extension, renewal, and reissuance at the nearest public security organs.
Every foreign national already in China can apply for a multiple-entry visa in cases of need.
The types of materials for visa applications for foreign nationals in China have been minimized.
USCCC provides expedited Chinese visa processing services and can work with you to navigate the complex process (please note that the 9 pages application form must be completed and submitted online but the actual submission of the documents and passport must be in person.) Please contact Mai Hoang at 312-368-9029 or maihoang@usccc.org
U.S. Passports
As of January 1, 2016 you can no longer add additional pages to your US Passport. You must renew your passport if you have no blank pages in your passport.
If you travel internationally frequently, you should consider apply for a second passport. The benefit of having a second passport is that you will be able to keep one passport with you as you travel, while the second remains at your home or office to be processed for your next trip abroad.
USCCC offers “Hand Carry Courier U.S. Passport Processing Service.” The number of slots for each courier to hand submit the application has been increased from two to four a day, and the express processing time now is three to five days. Not only does hand carry courier service save processing time, but also it offers better tracking and direct dialog with the passport processing center when problems occur. Please contact USCCC for further information.