San Francisco Mayor London Breed is packing her bags for a major diplomatic mission – and it’s all about building bridges 🌉 with China. In an exclusive chat with Xinhua, Breed teased her goals for strengthening local economic and cultural ties during her upcoming trip to Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
Why It Matters 🌍
Breed’s visit comes months after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s APEC speech in San Francisco, where he called people-to-people exchanges the 'vitality' of U.S.-China relations. The mayor, who grew up in SF’s melting pot, says the city’s deep-rooted Chinese community has shaped its identity: \"When I go to Chinatown, I always see somebody. I know somebody.\" 🥢🎑
Tech Meets Tradition 💡
Breed sees huge potential for collaboration between the San Francisco Bay Area and China’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, especially in AI and tech. \"China is leading in significant technologies,\" she said, hinting at future innovation partnerships. 🤖🚀
What’s Next? ✈️
Breed’s delegation – packed with business and community leaders – will meet peers in five Chinese regions. The trip has Beijing’s thumbs-up: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called it a chance to \"bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.\" 🕊️
