"Experience China 2017- Western China Comes to U.S. West Coast", a series of cultural events co-hosted by the Information Office of the State Council of China and the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles was unveiled in Los Angeles on November 13.

Lu Guangjin, Head of the Chinese delegation, Sun Lushan, Acting Consul-General of China, Jeffrey Bader, former Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, John Chiang, California State Treasurer, Curt Hagman, San Bernardino County Supervisor and Ed Chau, Member of the California State Assembly, among other local officials and dignitaries, attended the opening ceremony at Harriet & Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex.

"This cultural exchange event is the first of its kind in the United States since the successful conclusion of the 19th CPC National Congress. It will demonstrate the diverse cultures of the different ethnic groups in western China," Lu Guanjin said in his opening remarks. "The people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S. have achieved positive results in recent years, bringing the two peoples much closer. The 19th CPC National Congress and the most recent historical meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Trump will have critical and far-reaching impact on China-U.S. relations and the world as a whole. Today's event will further promote the exchange and understanding between our two peoples, and lay a solid foundation for the bilateral relations."

"Western China, which shares numerous similarities with U.S. west coast, is one of the most important birthplaces of the ancient Chinese civilization. With unique customs, diverse cultures, and rich resources, it has become a new hot spot for China's economic development, and at the forefront of the Belt and Road Initiative and China's reform and Opening up," said Sun Lushan, the Acting Consul-General of China in Los Angeles. "This event will objectively tell China Stories, and help American people better understand China in a comprehensive, objective and three dimensional way, and will further the people-to-people exchanges and sub-national cooperation, strengthening the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American peoples."

The guests extended warm welcome congratulations on the event and look forward to more such cultural exchanges and cooperation between western China and U.S west coast.

A splendid arts performance featuring "Charming Western China" followed, which drew a full house of more than 1,200 audience.

The performance, conducted by the artists from Gansu Ethnic Singing & Dancing Troupe, vividly demonstrated the unique heritage, culture and amiable ways of life of minority ethnic groups living in western China.

The second performance was staged in Balboa Theatre in San Diego the following day. The series also consists of an exhibition of photographic pictures depicting the customs of western China and the screening of two documentaries depicting the culture and nature of western China: Roof of the World and Born in China.

The series was quite a hit and widely covered by People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, CCTV, China Radio International, Chinese News Agency and various local media. Lu Guangjin and Sun Lushan were interviewed by several media outlets.