Vice Governor Li Ronggen attended the US Independence Day celebration hosted by the US Consulate General in Guangzhou in China Hotel on the evening of July 4, 2006. Li extended his cordial congratulations and kind wishes to Edward Dong, US Consul General in Guangzhou, Mrs. Dong and other Americans living and working in Guangdong in his speech. Li also reviewed the exchanges and cooperation in various areas, particularly the stable development in economy and trade area, over the last year between Guangdong and US.

Dong noted that he will officially leave his post on July 5 in his speech. Li expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Dong for his efforts to promote friendly exchanges between Guangdong and US during his posting, adding that Guangdong is willing to further expand mutual exchanges and cooperation in various areas to achieve common development along with people of all walks of life of US.

Xiao Jinzhe and Li Chengjie, Inspector and Vice Inspector of Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office respectively, also attended the celebration. On behalf of Director General Huang Ziqiang, Xiao also presented a vase as gift to Dong before the official kickoff of the celebration.

It is informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the newly appointed US Consul General in Guangzhou to come will be Robert Goldberg.