San Francisco Sun

GUANGZHOU – Mayor London N. Breed successfully concluded her visit to the southern region of the People’s Republic of China after engaging with various stakeholders in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. As she prepares to depart for Beijing, Mayor Breed expressed her vision of creating strong partnerships that will foster cultural connections and economic opportunities.

During her time in Shenzhen, Mayor Breed met with local business leaders and government officials to explore economic opportunities and discuss the potential for enterprise expansion into San Francisco. City Administrator Carmen Chu, reflecting on the trip, emphasized the importance of fostering people-to-people exchanges and bringing opportunities that benefit both San Francisco and the community.

The Mayor also engaged with airline executives in Shenzhen to discuss the possibility of bringing Shenzhen Airlines to San Francisco International Airport, aiming to expand travel options between the two regions. Malcolm Yeung, President of the San Francisco Airport Commission, highlighted the significance of Mayor Breed's efforts in rebuilding bridges with China and the importance of attracting Chinese tourists back to the city.

In Guangzhou, Mayor Breed became the first San Francisco Mayor to lead an official delegation to the city and met with Mayor Sun Zhiyang to discuss collaborative ties between the two cities rooted in tech and innovation. The visit to Guangzhou, with its deep historical connections to San Francisco's Chinese and Chinese American community, underscored the importance of strengthening bonds between the regions.

Rodney Fong, President and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, commended Mayor Breed for her leadership in fostering partnerships and expressed optimism about the future collaborations between San Francisco and China's Greater Bay Area.

Mayor Breed's visit to Southern China marks a significant opportunity for San Francisco to enhance economic growth, tourism, and diplomatic relations with the region. As she continues her journey to Beijing and Shanghai, the Mayor aims to further solidify partnerships that will bring new businesses and industries to various neighborhoods across San Francisco.