A news conference and banquet for the Redwood Tree--a Celebration of Sino-US Friendship co-organized by the organizing committee of Houston International Festival, Chinese Consulate in Houston and US-China Foundation was held at Marriott Hotel in Houston on the evening of December 14, 2006. 
Dr. Jim Austin, President of the organizing committee of Houston International Festival hosted the news conference. He introduced Ms. Julia Zhu and Dr. Larry Lee, president of US-China Foundation to over 300 guests from US mainstream society and Chinese community in Houston . Ms. Julia Zhu is a well-known Chinese soprano, a graduate student instructed under Mr. Jin Tie Lin, president of National Conservatory of China. Mr. Austin announced that US-China Foundation would organize a solo concert entitled "he Redwood Tree-----a Celebration of Sino- US Friendship" featuring Soprano Julia Zhu during the Houston International Festival in April 2007.

Honorable Hua Jin Zhou, Consul General of Chinese Consulate in Houston delivered an opening speech and introduced US-China Foundation to the attending guests. US-China Foundation just set up its branch office in Houston and would participate in a series of cultural events during the Houston International Festival ---the Year of China in Houston in April 2007. 
Soprano Julia Zhu sang beautiful songs at this meeting and her performance was quite a hit. Many American Theater Companies were eager to sign with Soprano Julia Zhu after the banquet.

US-China Energy Forum, Chinese Language Teaching Symposium/Conference, Splendid Fashion of China through the Ages(a beautiful fashion/model show), Professor Zhou Hong Xing’s Calligraphy and Personal Collections, Hengshan’s Calligraphy, Paintings and Carvings, and other important programs for Houston International Festival - Year of China were also released at this news conference and reception. 
Guests of Honor attending the news conference and banquet included: Mr. Green, US Congressman, Honorable Charles Foster, chairman of the Houston International Festival and his wife, Mr. Gordon Guan, former member of Houston Council, Mr. Fang Li, Vice Consul General of Chinese Consulate in Houston . Ms. Li Ji Ping, Cultural Consul of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Mr. Zhou Ding, head of Division of Compatriot Affairs of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Ms. Gao Jing Juan, Consul in charge of Compatriot Affairs of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Mr. Fu Ji Jun, Consul in charge of News of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Ms. Sun Ai Ping, Consul in charge of News of Chinese Consulate in Houston. Hundreds of American and Chinese guests including heads of major Chinese associations, representatives of well-known American companies also attended this event.German Consul General in Houston, Mexican Consul General in Houston, Pakistanis Consul General in Houston and Consuls General of other countries in Houston also attended this meaningful event.

Both Continental Airlines and American First National Bank are officially confirmed to be our partners in 2007.

Dr. Larry Lee, president of USCF recently met with Mr. Beryl Wolk, a well-known American expert on marketing in US eastern coast. Mr. Wok praised highly the achievements made by USCF and hopes to cooperate with USCF on many programs including US-Sino International University Project..

Dr. Larry Lee, president of USCF met with Dr. Zal Velez, Deputy Mayor of West Orange of New Jersey and Chairman of America Asia Amity Association, Mr. Michael Leung, president of the Association. Both parties had comprehensive discussions on many cooperative programs in 2007. The high-ranking officicials of this Association entertained Dr. Larry Lee to dinner banquet.

On the evening of December 21, Dr. Larry Lee, president of USCF and Ms. Julia Zhu, Art Director of USCF attended the debut of an opera entitled "First Emperor" (Qin Shi Huang) at Lincoln Center.

On Christmas Eve, Larry and Julia were invited to a dinner at the home of Mr. Tan Dun, the composer of this opera. Dr. Larry Lee and Ms. Julia thoroughly exchanged views on this opera with Mr. Tan Dun and other related people of this opera group. This opera was stared by well-known opera performing artist, Placido Domingo, who played Emperor Qin, and directed by Mr. Zhang Yi Mo, a well-known Chinese director. This grandness and majesty of this opera gave audience a deep impression. This opera was quite a hit among US mainstream society. Dr. Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State, Senator S. R. Clinton, Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg and other important guests enjoyed this opera. This opera would be performed officially in Beijing during 2008 Olympic games. After being refined further, this opera would be a highlight among the events associated with Beijing 2008 Olympic games.

Larry Lee, the President of USCF and Ms. Julia Zhu, Art Director of USCF met Mr. Domingo, the world's most well known tenor at the New York Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Domingo told Larry and Julia that he expects to perform the First Emperor in China in the near future.