From l-r, Chinese delegation member Lu Yang presented Baltimore County Department of Planning officials with a dragon flag, Division Chief Dave Green, Division Chief Lynn Lanham and Deputy Director Liz Glenn, and Kui Zhao. 1 Chinese delegations from Beijing, Jilin Province, Anhui Province, Jiangsu Province, and Guizhou Province visited Baltimore in December to learn about planning and zoning policies and old town revitalization.2 Jane Nishida, Chair, MD Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific Affairs addressed the 5th Annual Joint Commission and Community Partners Assembly in December on the Commission’s achievements in 2012. The event was hosted by MD Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives.3 Jesse Singh, Chair, MD Governor’s newly-created Commission on South Asian Affairs gave a report in Baltimore’s M&T Stadium during the 5th Annual Joint Commission and Community Partners Assembly. 4 Korean American Women’s Chamber of Commerce hosted a star-studded holiday gala in December that featured first-class singers from Korea, a husband-and-wife team, LEE Mu Song (l) and NOH Sa Yeon (r) who entertained a roomful of guests with classics including the ones that made them both famous, 5 Yun Jung Yang, center, KAWCC president greeted guests with officers, from left to right, Ji-Hee Connie Yu, Treasurer, Joanne Han, Secretary, Christina Shin, Vice President (partially blocked), Phillip Burks, Holiday Gala Committee Member, and Janice Kong, Holiday Gala Committee Member. 100% of the gala’s silent auction proceeds benefit KAWCC’s advocy to end domestic violence. 6 Robert Kang, partner, Potomac Mortgage Capital, Inc. and David Han, president, Hans Travel showed off their own gangnam style moves on the dance floor.7 Mark Keam, Va State Delegate, District 35, wife Alex Keam, Yang and Jeannie Hong, Circuit Court Judge for Maryland in Baltimore City.8 Philip Chung, managing attorney, Chung & Press, P.C. and wife Joan, Young Hee Kang, Wife of Robert Kang, partner, Potomac Mortgage Capital, Inc. posed for a portrait.9 Minister Yang Zigang of the Chinese Embassy was at one of his many farewell dinners in early December, this time hosted by the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce. Yang is seen here with wife, left, Du Shuqin, and Gary Zhu, right, president of CACC, also owner of Fullkee restaurant in Falls Church, where the multi-coursed banquet took place. Yang is leaving D.C. to head to Suranami as the Chinese Ambassador. Congratulations and safe travels.10 Members of the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce presented Minister Yang with a plaque. 11 Ms. Du Shuqin, wife of Minister Yang, entertained guests with a karoroki rendetion of a popular Chinese song.12 U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke, was back at Commerce Department, where he was Secretary, to be part of the 23rd U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT). Locke is seen here conversing with U.S. Trade Rep¬resentative Ron Kirk an Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank. U.S. and China signed agreements related to enhancing understanding and measurement of bilateral trade, and increasing the numbers of reverse trade missions which support China's continued development while creating more U.S. exports and jobs. Established in 1983, the JCCT is the main forum for addressing bilateral trade and investment issues and promoting commercial opportunities between the United States and China.13