SAIC USA, Wanda Group Chicago and Wanxiang America were recognized as the Most Influential Companies at the annual gala for the Chicago chapter of the China General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) here on Wednesday.

Nanshan America was awarded the Fastest Growing Company, Hainan Airlines the Best Investor, Bank of China the Top Social Contribution, and Nexteer Automotive the Outstanding Employer prize.

In his welcoming remarks, CGCC Chicago Chapter Chairman, Wanxiang America President Pin Ni, urged business leaders from the United States and China to cooperate and work toward more transparency and community.

“Let’s not forget that Chicago is a windy city, so with the wind of globalization, the wind of U.S.-China cooperation, I believe we can fly over any obstacle, and I truly believe that one day we are going to be the mainstream,” Ni said.

During the gala, Ni signed an agreement with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel renewing the 100,000 Strong Initiative. Under the program initiated by U.S. President Barack Obama and launched in 2010, the United States planned to send 100,000 American students to study in China over the next four years. Wanxiang America is a sponsor of the program.

Emanuel said in his speech that it is not just business, not just investing, “but this is an opportunity to build people-to-people relationships that are essential for not just the business opportunity, but for greater understanding, which is essential for us to continue to develop.”

President Obama sent a congratulatory letter to the event, saying the United States and China are the world’s two largest economies, and together “we must find cooperative measures that help promote growth around the globe.” Obama said, “a constructive relationship between the United States and China is important to the entire world.”

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai also sent a congratulatory letter. “Two-way investments between our two countries will help create more jobs and drive stronger growth,” he said in the letter.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder attended the gala and also delivered a speech to over 400 government officials and business leaders from China and the United States present.

The CGCC is the largest non-profit organization in the United States that represents Chinese enterprises. CGCC Chicago covers nine states in the Midwest, namely Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Statistics show that Chinese companies have invested 12.8 billion U.S. dollars and created 28,400 jobs in the U.S. Midwest region since 2000. The region is becoming a hub for Chinese investment besides the U.S. East and West Coasts