Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot clinches her fists as she speaks during her election night celebration after defeating her challenger Toni Preckwinkle in a runoff election in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., April 2, 2019.(Xinhua/REUTERS)
CHICAGO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Lori Lightfoot, the newly elected mayor of Chicago, pledged on Saturday to do everything possible to strengthen the city's relationship with China.
Lightfoot made the remarks when she visited Chinatown in Chicago after she was elected the 56th mayor of Chicago, the third largest city in the United States.
"I think it's really important that we recognize Chicago, of course, is a global city and China has to be part of our future. We have a good, shared relationship for business and also cultural affairs," said Lightfoot, adding that she looks forward to working with the Chinese Consul General in Chicago on those missions.
Lightfoot said that the history of Chinese Americans in the United States is really the story of America.
"We have you come from far away. You toil under difficult circumstances and in challenging circumstances. But the thing that unites the (Chinese) community and makes it so important to the American story is the perseverance, the hard work in the commitment to forge a better life for your families, for your children and to really contribute to the American dream," said Lightfoot.
"I'm committed to making sure that the Chinatown will continue to grow and thrive. And let me underscore that we are far more responsive to the needs of this community. You are going to be reflected on in our administration," Lightfoot promised, adding that she will make sure that the Chinese community will get fair representation not only at the city level but the state level.
Born in 1962, Lightfoot had been president of the Chicago Police Board before announcing candidacy for Mayor of Chicago in the 2019 elections.
Lori Lightfoot won an overwhelming victory in Chicago's mayoral race on April 2, becoming the city's first openly gay mayor and the first African-American woman to serve as chief executive.
