Inside the 43rd AmCham China Annual General Meeting

The evening began with lively networking in the ballroom foyer before attendees moved into the Grand Ballroom. Michael Hart, President of AmCham China, opened the event by thanking sponsors including Abbott, ExxonMobil, Intel, Beijing Kerry Centre, United Airlines, and Vermeer, and welcoming US Ambassador Nicholas Burns to the stage.

Ambassador Burns’ Remarks: Fostering Optimism in US-China Relations

Ambassador Burns delivered a keynote address that struck a hopeful tone for the future of US-China relations. He thanked the AmCham China leadership and acknowledged the vital role of AmCham China in fostering mutual understanding, highlighting the contributions of the Chamber’s 800-member companies to building economic and cultural bridges between the two nations. Having attended more than a dozen significant Chamber events during his tenure in China, as well as many other meetings and briefings, Ambassador Burns pledged to remain committed to supporting the American business community in China until his expected return to the US towards the middle of January.

Highlights of the Evening: Leadership Reflections and Awards

During her speech, Chair Roberta Lipson reflected on a year of significant achievements amid ongoing challenges for US-China relations. Lipson highlighted the Chamber’s role in fostering dialogue and advocacy, citing over 100 meetings with Chinese government officials, including 39 at the ministerial level and above, and the delivery of 10 White Papers to key ministries. These efforts, she noted, are essential in addressing critical issues for the Chamber’s 800 members across China. Lipson also spoke of the Chamber’s vibrant programming, with more than 300 events held nationwide in 2024, a testament to the energy of AmCham China’s Committees and Chapters.

Looking ahead, Lipson struck a pragmatic tone, quoting the Chinese proverb “前途是光明的，道路是曲折的” (“The future is bright, but the road is winding”), often attributed to Chairman Mao, to capture the dual nature of hope and challenges in US-China relations. She emphasized the Chamber’s unwavering commitment to helping members navigate these complexities and reiterated its crucial role in supporting American businesses in China. Lipson also acknowledged the unwavering support of members and leadership, including former Chair Sean Stein, who led the Chamber for much of 2024.

Awards and Celebrations

The evening celebrated key contributors to the Chamber’s success with several awards. The Pioneer Award for those whose professional contributions and personal character represent America’s stories in entrepreneurship, business success, innovation, and humanity, was presented to Gloria Xu for her outstanding leadership in the business community. Xu has served on the AmCham China Board six times, including three times as Vice Chair, most recently in 2023. She is also a previous recipient of the Chair’s Service Award (2020).

Chair’s Service Award

The Chair’s Service Award was presented to Dora Cheung for her exceptional dedication to advancing the Chamber’s mission. Cheung, a Partner in the Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services practice at PwC China, has served on the AmCham China Board as Treasurer since 2020.

Committee of the Year Awards – Financial Services and Insurance, MSSC, & Healthcare

The annual Committee of the Year Awards recognized three outstanding Committees. The Financial Services and Insurance Committee, managed by Ada Yang, was given to Co-Chairs Erin Zhang (Goldman Sachs) and Viki Huang (State Street), with Hongjun Teng (Citi) present to pick up the award in their absence.

The Manufacturing, Sourcing, Supply Chain and Customs Committee, managed by Yu Yin, was given to David Song (Cummins), with fellow Co-Chairs Craig Alber (Boeing) and Jonathan Kendrick (PRI) recognized in their absence.

The Healthcare Committee, managed by Edward Wang, was presented to Co-Chairs Irene Hsu (Amgen) – who was represented in person by her colleague Milun Zhang – and Alice Xu (Boston Scientific).

Leadership Development Program

Board of Governors member, Su Cheng Harris-Simpson also delivered remarks where she highlighted the significance of the Chamber’s Leadership Development Program (LDP) and recognized the achievements of this year’s cohort.

Election Results and Closing Remarks

At the end of the evening, the results of the 2025 Board of Governors Election were announced, about which you can read more here. The current 2024 Board and the 2025 Board-elect were then recognized on stage, along with Chapter Executive Committee Chairs from Tianjin, Northeast China, Central China, and Southwest China.

Michael Hart closed the evening with a call to action for members to remain engaged as the Chamber continues to navigate the complexities of US-China relations. The 2024 AGM was a testament to the Chamber’s pivotal role in supporting American businesses in China. As Roberta Lipson noted, “AmCham China remains an essential partner in helping members thrive, even in challenging times. Together, we will continue to foster progress and collaboration in the years ahead.”