Wen Ying

 At five or six years old, I loved the fairy tale of Cinderella. Reading it time and again, the young me was convinced that as long as you have what it takes, you will shine one day, whatever your background. During my teenage years, a pair of Levi’s 501 was the most valued piece in my otherwise bland wardrobe. I liked how they do not distinguish between sexes, ages and body shapes and make everyone look cool, no matter who you are. Then, as an English language student in university, I began to read up on the United States and discovered that both Cinderella and Levi’s hail from California, where countless Chinese immigrants were given a chance at their dreams more than a century ago. These early encounters make me feel connected with the Golden State.  With just a little bit more digging, I learned that California has long been a leader among U.S. states when it comes to building ties across the Pacific.  We celebrate each other’s cultures. San Franciscans have a much more sophisticated view of Chinese culture, beyond the usual run of dragon dances, red lanterns, and dumplings. There are many local organizations putting together exhibitions and concerts that upend clichés about China and encourage new perspectives. Art lovers in Shanghai amaze at SF’s world-class ballet performances featured at international arts festivals hosted by China’s most cosmopolitan city.  We form partnerships to better lives. Many big corporate names from China such as Alibaba and BYD find another home in California. According to Asia Society, more than 19,000 Californian households were receiving paychecks from Chinese-invested companies before the pandemic. In Shanghai, SF’s cutting-edge architectural design dazzles the skyline with the 632-meter tall Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building. We combine forces to take on humanity’s greatest challenges. More than a decade ago, funding from China was already supporting California’s solar energy projects. At California-China Climate Institute in UC Berkeley, our brightest climate minds work closely in joint research, training and dialogue to inform policies, track progress, build tools, and elevate best practices.  Just a week ago, Mr. Gavin Newsom became the first U.S. governor to visit China in more than four years, focusing on cooperation at a time when many in Washington balk at even talking to China.  You see, California has a good story to tell about China. And like all good stories, this one has a moral. Now, many argue that differences are a menace, closing off reduces risks, going it alone is the safer way of doing things, and competition defines relations between nations. What does California’s success tell us? My mind circles back to Cinderella and to the Levi’s jeans still in my closet. Taken together, they speak to a most valuable character of the Golden State: The Californian way is about respect. Respect for diversity. Respect for others just the way they are. Respect for hard work and excellence.

You see that in how Hollywood stories both celebrate heroes and shed light on the underprivileged. You see that in how Silicon Valley becomes a hub for tech talents from around the globe. You can also taste that in California’s delicious culinary diversity. With respect toward others, Californians have been able to see opportunity in others’ success and find success in collaborating with others.  

California’s outreach to China may surprise some people, given the current climate in the Sino-U.S. political relations. But if one knows California, one will not be surprised. It fits nicely with California’s identity, the values that made Cinderella and Levi’s possible.  As San Francisco gets ready to host the 2023 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, respect is going to be crucial to the stated goals of the forum, from free and open trade, investment facilitation, economic integration, to a prosperous Asia-Pacific. It is also the starting point of all relations—between individuals, communities and nations alike. Many may do well to take a lesson from California.

(Wen Ying is a freelance writer based in Beijing.)