History

CAAC was established in February 1980 and duly registered with the State of California as a nonprofit organization during the early period of normalized relations between the United States and China.

At the inaugural meeting on February 5, 1980, the founding board took oath of office in the presence of the then-Mayor of San Francisco (who later became a U.S. Senator) and the Consul General of China in San Francisco. In the months that followed, CAAC received visits and support from top government officials in both countries and organized pioneering trade and cultural exchange delegations to China.

Over the years, CAAC has played a significant role in promoting business cooperation and cultural understanding between the two nations. The association also encouraged visits of Chinese youth to their ancestral homeland and supported cultural programs within the Chinese American community. Leaders of CAAC participated in public hearings on trade relations, supported broader recognition of Chinese business interests, and worked with local organizations to celebrate cultural and national events.

Through decades of sustained efforts, CAAC became an important voice for the Chinese American business community and a platform for cross-cultural cooperation and dialogue.  

历史

美國華商總會成立於1980年2月，依法在加州註冊成立。該時適逢中美兩國外交關係逐步正常化之際，華商總會承擔起促進經貿與文化交流的使命。  

1980年2月5日，CAAC 舉行成立大會並宣誓就職。當時的舊金山市長（後任美國參議員）與中國駐舊金山總領事出席見證本會成立。隨後不久，本會獲兩國官方關注，並率先組團赴中國進行經貿考察與洽談。  

多年來，CAAC 致力於推動中美商業合作與文化理解。本會還促成華裔青年前往祖籍探訪、支持本地中文教育與文化活動等項目。CAAC 領導人並曾代表華商社群參與美國國會聽證會，就貿易政策等議題發表立場。  

通過數十年的努力，CAAC 成為華裔商業社群的重要力量，也是跨文化對話與合作的平台。