1901
Chinese Dragon Parade Welcomes President McKinley
A Chinese ceremonial dragon was featured along Alameda Street in Los Angeles Plaza, forming a prominent part of the Chinese community’s procession during the grand parade held in honor of President William McKinley’s visit.
1955
Founding of the LA Chinese Chamber of Commerce
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles was established in the heart of downtown Chinatown, with the aim of fostering business relationships and advancing commercial prosperity among its members. By the 1950s, the Chinese American community had expanded significantly, supporting approximately 110 grocery stores, 350 laundries, and 180 restaurants, serving a population of around 10,000. This growth continued steadily, with the community reaching 19,730 residents by 1960 and surpassing 40,000 by 1970—a rise spurred in part by the landmark Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, enacted by the 89th United States Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
1963
Inaugural Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Pageant
The inaugural Miss Los Angeles Chinatown Pageant was held, culminating in the crowning of its first queen, Cristine Lee.
1972
Immigrant Support Programs and Job Training Launched
Under the leadership of Executive Secretary Bill Hong, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce launched a $140,000 job training initiative, along with the establishment of two key organizations dedicated to assisting newly arrived immigrants in Los Angeles Chinatown. These efforts provided residents with vital opportunities to develop new skills, participate in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, and improve their socioeconomic standing within the broader community.
1980
Reconnecting with Roots: U.S.–China Family and Business Relations
One of the Chamber’s central missions is to promote U.S.–China relations and foster meaningful connections for Chinese American citizens living abroad. For many prominent members of the Chinese American community who emigrated from China during the 1960s and 1970s, the Chamber has played a vital role in reuniting them with family members still residing in China. Among those we have proudly assisted in reconnecting with their extended families are Judge Ronald Lew, Pat Yan (CEO of AA Meats), and Winston B. Young (CEO of Young Engineering).
1990
Youth Empowerment and Advocacy through OCYA
The Chamber is a committed partner in advancing the interests and rights of Chinese youth abroad. We proudly support the Overseas Chinese Youth Association (OCYA) for Rights Protection and Career Development, empowering young people to build new beginnings and pursue opportunities in the United States.
2008
Sichuan Earthquake Relief Fundraiser Raises $500,000
In partnership with Cathay Bank and KAZN AM1300, the Chinese Chamber raised $500,000 to aid victims of the devastating Sichuan earthquake in China, providing critical support to those who were displaced or had lost loved ones.
2015
Cultural Exchange Mission to China
As part of their many cultural and civic responsibilities, the reigning members of the Miss Chinatown Royal Court embark each year on a cultural exchange trip to China, aimed at fostering friendship and deepening mutual understanding between the Chinese and Chinese American communities. A key element of these visits includes engaging with local communities and nonprofit organizations supported by the Chinese Chamber. In this instance, the Royal Court is shown visiting children at one of several orphanages in Beijing with which the Chamber maintains close and longstanding ties.
2019
120th Anniversary of the Golden Dragon Parade
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 120th Anniversary of the Golden Dragon Parade in celebration of the Lunar New Year, marking it as the longest-running Lunar New Year parade outside of China—a cherished tradition that dates back to the late 19th century. Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Mayor Eric Garcetti and Chinese Consul General Zhang Ping.
Congressman Jimmy Gomez, representing California’s 34th District, was honored as the parade’s Grand Marshal. He was joined by four esteemed Honorary Marshals: Supervisor Hilda Solis (Los Angeles County Supervisor, District 1), Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo (City of Los Angeles, District 1), Chief Michel Moore (Los Angeles Police Department), and Sheriff Alex Villanueva (33rd Sheriff of Los Angeles County).
During the reception, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce was formally recognized for its enduring contributions to promoting U.S.–China business relations, fostering cultural exchange, and preserving important Chinese traditions such as the Lunar New Year.
2020
COVID-19 Response and Community Support
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber mobilized to support Chinatown businesses and residents through PPE donations, small business relief workshops, and digital marketing campaigns. Partnering with local officials and nonprofits, the Chamber helped distribute over 100,000 masks and assisted dozens of small businesses in accessing emergency funding and navigating closures.
2022
Chinatown Business Recovery Initiative
As Los Angeles began reopening, the Chamber launched the “Chinatown Business Recovery Initiative” to help local businesses rebound. This included a series of workshops on digital transformation, grant writing, and social media strategy. The Chamber also organized the return of in-person cultural festivals to revitalize tourism and foot traffic in Chinatown.
2023
50th Anniversary of the Miss Chinatown Pageant
The Chamber celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Miss Chinatown Pageant during the 214th Annual Golden Dragon Parade. Alumni queens, community leaders, and city officials were honored at the event, which emphasized the pageant’s role in empowering Chinese American women and preserving cultural heritage.
2024
Historic Archive Digitization Project Begun
Recognizing the importance of preserving Chinese American history, the Chamber launched an archival digitization project to make its legacy documents, photographs, and media accessible to the public and future generations.
