John,

I wanted to take a moment to personally share with you a few details from my trip to China. I had the incredible opportunity to strengthen economic connections and bolster cultural ties between San Francisco and cities across China.

I had the privilege of meeting with business leaders, government officials, and airline executives in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai to explore opportunities for collaboration and growth, with specific attention on attracting new businesses and industries and connections to Downtown San Francisco and neighborhoods like Chinatown, Richmond, the Sunset, and Visitacion Valley. I appreciate the work of the San Francisco Special Events Committee, the nonprofit that raised private funds for this important trip.

We explored opportunities for business expansion into San Francisco and discussed bringing Shenzhen Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and Air China to SFO International Airport. Expanding airline partnerships and route options to and from this historic region in southern China presents a remarkable opportunity to enhance travel options for Bay Area residents and global travelers.

I visited the old town of Guangzhou and had the privilege of visiting the home of Hoi-Chuen Lee, father of the iconic Chinese American figure, Bruce Lee, who was born in San Francisco's Chinatown. It is experiences such as these that underscore the deep historical and cultural connections between our cities.

In Beijing, we officially announced that the San Francisco Zoo will be receiving a pair of pandas! We look forward to a new panda exhibit and our panda pair arriving in 2025.

Finally, we took the high speed train to Shanghai where we celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the San Francisco Shanghai Sister City relationship, the first to be established in the history of the United States. 

Through our collective efforts, we can create a stronger and more prosperous San Francisco. Together, we will continue to build a city that provides opportunities for all residents and sets an example for the world.

Sincerely,

Mayor London Breed