A news conference and banquet for the Redwood Tree--a Celebration of Sino-US Friendship co-organized by the organizing committee of Houston International Festival, Chinese Consulate in Houston and US-China Foundation was held at Marriott Hotel in Houston on the evening of December 14, 2006.
Dr. Jim Austin, President of the organizing committee of Houston International Festival hosted the news conference. He introduced Ms. Julia Zhu and Dr. Larry Lee, president of US-China Foundation to over 300 guests from US mainstream society and Chinese community in Houston . Ms. Julia Zhu is a well-known Chinese soprano, a graduate student instructed under Mr. Jin Tie Lin, president of National Conservatory of China. Mr. Austin announced that US-China Foundation would organize a solo concert entitled "he Redwood Tree-----a Celebration of Sino- US Friendship" featuring Soprano Julia Zhu during the Houston International Festival in April 2007.
Honorable Hua Jin Zhou, Consul General of Chinese Consulate in Houston delivered an opening speech and introduced US-China Foundation to the attending guests. US-China Foundation just set up its branch office in Houston and would participate in a series of cultural events during the Houston International Festival ---the Year of China in Houston in April 2007.
Soprano Julia Zhu sang beautiful songs at this meeting and her performance was quite a hit. Many American Theater Companies were eager to sign with Soprano Julia Zhu after the banquet.
US-China Energy Forum, Chinese Language Teaching Symposium/Conference, Splendid Fashion of China through the Ages(a beautiful fashion/model show), Professor Zhou Hong Xing’s Calligraphy and Personal Collections, Hengshan’s Calligraphy, Paintings and Carvings, and other important programs for Houston International Festival - Year of China were also released at this news conference and reception.
Guests of Honor attending the news conference and banquet included: Mr. Green, US Congressman, Honorable Charles Foster, chairman of the Houston International Festival and his wife, Mr. Gordon Guan, former member of Houston Council, Mr. Fang Li, Vice Consul General of Chinese Consulate in Houston . Ms. Li Ji Ping, Cultural Consul of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Mr. Zhou Ding, head of Division of Compatriot Affairs of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Ms. Gao Jing Juan, Consul in charge of Compatriot Affairs of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Mr. Fu Ji Jun, Consul in charge of News of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Ms. Sun Ai Ping, Consul in charge of News of Chinese Consulate in Houston. Hundreds of American and Chinese guests including heads of major Chinese associations, representatives of well-known American companies also attended this event.German Consul General in Houston, Mexican Consul General in Houston, Pakistanis Consul General in Houston and Consuls General of other countries in Houston also attended this meaningful event.
