On June 2, 2015, Ambassador Cui Tiankai hosted a reception to welcome Minister Li Kexin and his wife Mme Wang Wenqian. More than 200 people attended the reception, including DCM Minister Wu Xi, Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Countryman, Treasury Department's Assistant Secretary Marisa Lago and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton, as well as other guests from the US government, the Congress, think tanks, business community, media, foreign diplomatic corps and the Chinese overseas community.

In his remarks, Ambassador welcomed Minister Li to the Chinese Embassy at a time when China-US relations entered an important stage. He said: China and US have broad common interests. Despite differences at some point or another, mutually beneficial cooperation is constantly the mainstream of this bilateral relationship. We are working meticulously with our US colleagues and partners to arrange a series of important high-level visits and exchanges within this year, particularly the state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping September. Building a New Model of Major Country Relationship is in the fundamental interests of both Chinese and American people and is the only right way out for both sides. I believe Minister Li will make positive contribution to the healthy and stable development of China-US relations with his expertise and experience.

Minister Li said: I am honored to come to work at the Chinese Embassy and knows the great responsibility I am trusted with. The depth and width of China-US relationship has reached an unprecedented level with more intensified bilateral, regional and global cooperation and coordination. I look forward to making my own endeavors in forging a New Model of Major Country Relationship between our two countries, under the leadership of Ambassador Cui and with the joint efforts of my colleagues in the Chinese Embassy as well as our American friends.

Guests attending the reception expressed their warm welcome and congratulations to Minister Li upon his assumption of new position and wished for a smooth and happy tenure for him.