On April 20, Ambassador Cui Tiankai attended the welcome reception hosted by the overseas Chinese community of the greater Washington DC area. About 300 guests attended the reception.

On behalf of the Chinese community, President of the Coordination Council of the Chinese American Associations (CCCAA) Mr. He Ruyi, Chairman of the Hope Chinese School (HCS) Mr. Liang Kangzhi, President of the Chinese Alumni Association Greater Washington DC (CAAGW) Mr. Xia Xiangbo and President of the Union of Chinese American Professional Organizations (UCAPO) Mr. Ye Yubin delivered remarks and warmly welcomed Ambassador Cui to his new post.

Ambassador Cui started his remarks by expressing deep condolences and sympathies to the victims of Sichuan Lushan earthquake. He said that he had recently traveled to Boston where he visited the Chinese student injured in the bombing and met with the family of the student who lost her life. Ambassador Cui said the Chinese Embassy and the Consulate-General in New York would do their best to help the families of the victims to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy, and he believed the overseas Chinese would stand with the people in China in helping those affected by the earthquake in Sichuan.

Ambassador Cui briefed the audience of the two 100-year goals set out by the 18th CPC National Congress and the "Chinese Dream" put forward by Secretary General Xi Jingping. He encouraged overseas Chinese to work together with people in China to realize revitalization of the Chinese nation.

On China-US relations, Ambassador Cui pointed out that China-US relations are at a new phase. China stands ready to work with the US to strengthen dialogue, communication and cooperation, properly handle the sensitive issues and complexities in bilateral relations, carry forward the China-US cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit and jointly explore a new type of relationship between major countries.

Ambassador Cui applauded the contribution made by generations of overseas Chinese to the economic and social development of the United States as well as to China-US relations. He also expressed his gratitude to the overseas Chinese community for their support to the Chinese Embassy and the five Consulates-General.

Ambassador Cui concluded his remarks by stressing that the Embassy is committed to providing better and more efficient services to the overseas Chinese in the United States, and he would devote himself to serving the country, the Chinese people and the Chinese nation.

Minister Deng Hongbo and Minister Lu Kang were present at the reception.