San Francisco Mayor London Breed is preparing for an official trip to China, looking for more business and maybe a couple of pandas.
The multi-city tour is supposed to increase tourism and boost business as many are leaving the city due to crime and lasting impacts from the pandemic.
"We see this as an extraordinary opportunity for San Francisco's future," Breed said Wednesday.
Breed's goal, she said, is to bring pandas back to the San Francisco Zoo, increase relationships with China, and boost tourism in an effort to be a driving force of innovation and economic leadership.
"Our goal is to enter into major agreements and make San Francisco significant to China and to let them know that we are open to the business relationship that could be developed as a result," Breed said.
The weeklong trip starts Saturday and will include a group of local Asian business and community leaders.
Breed was invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit last year to the APEC summit.
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Breed said she’s also looking to expand airline routes to bring more visitors downtown, including Chinatown.
"We love to encourage them to come to Chinatown," The Wok Shop owner Tane Chan said. "We can also promote our Chinatown because we are the only largest Chinese community outside of China."
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Chan has owned The Wok Shop in Chinatown for 57 years and said increasing tourism is critical to businesses surviving.
"We depend on that side from the local residents because we are a vibrant living community," Chan said.
Breed said she also wants international brands and tech to make San Francisco home.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce is excited for any potential growth that could lead to lasting impacts.
"This is very good news," Harlan Wong with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce said. "As we all know, it's not just Chinatown but the city itself needs more economic growth."
