Historic Milestones

1955

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce Los Angeles is established in downtown Chinatown, with the objective being to help promote business connections and overall commerce among its key constituents. In the 1950’s, the Chinese community had grown to 110 groceries, 350 laundries, and 180 restaurants supporting a community of about 10,000 people. This number would continue to climb to 19,730 by 1960 and over 40,000 by 1970 as the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act was passed by the 89th United States Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

1972

Under Executive Secretary Bill Hong, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce began a $140,000 job training program and two significant organizations to help new immigrants settling in Los Angeles Chinatown. These efforts helped equip Chinatown residents with new skills to improve their living conditions, engage in English as a second language education training, and move up in their communities.

The 80’s

One of the main priorities of the Chamber is to promote US-Chinese relationships and foster connections for Chinese American citizens who have come abroad. For many prominent members of the Chinese American community who left China in the 1960’s and 1970’s, we have served a key role in helping reunite them with their family members back in China. Among those who we have helped connect with their extended family in China, include Judge Ronald Lew, Pat Yan (CEO of AA Meats), Winston B. Young (CEO of Young Engineering) 

The 90’s

The Chamber is a partner to helping promote Chinese youth’s interests and rights abroad. We support the Overseas Chinese Youth Association (OCYA) for Rights Protection and Career Development, to enable youth to have a new start in the United States.

MAY 2008

In partnership with Cathay Bank and KAZN AM1300, the Chinese Chamber raised $500,000 to support earthquake victims who were displaced from their homes or lost loved ones during the Sichuan earthquake in China. 

2009

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce is committed to serving and engaging with the Los Angeles community. Here, the Miss Chinatown Royal Court visits a senior home in Chinatown.

2015

As part of their many cultural and civic duties, each year the reigning members of the Miss Chinatown Royal Court partake on a cultural exchange trip to China to promote friendship and a better understanding of the Chinese-American relationship. A major component of these visits is to interact with the local communities and non-profit organizations supported by the Chinese Chamber. Here, the Royal Court is featured visiting the children of one of many orphanages in Beijing that the Chamber has close relationships with.

FEBRUARY 2019

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce hosts the 120th Anniversary of the Golden Dragon Parade in celebration of the Lunar New Year. This makes it the longest running Lunar New Year parade outside of China and a tradition that dates back to the pre-1900’s. Mayor Eric Garcetti and China Consul General Zhang Ping were among the honorable guests in attendance. In addition, Congressman Jimmy Gomez,representing California’s 34th District, was honored as the parade’s Grand Marshal, while Supervisor Hilda Solis (Los Angeles County Supervisor, District 1), Gilbert Cedillo (Los Angeles County Council Member, District 1), Chief Michele Moore (Los Angeles Police Department Chief) and Alex Villanueva (33rd Sheriff of Los Angeles County) rounded out the additional four Honorary Marshals. During this reception, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce was recognized for its work promoting US-Chinese business relations and cultural exchange and its support of important Chinese traditions such as the Lunar New Year.

THE GOLDEN DRAGON PARADE…THEN AND NOW