August 8, 2009 is the first anniversary of the U.S.-China Legal Exchange Foundation (UCLEF). The first Chinese Lawyers Advanced Training Program in the United States run by the UCLEF came to a successful end on August 7, marking also the first anniversary of the UCLEF. Many US-Chinese newspapers, which have been drawing a great attention to the Chinese Prime Minister-Mr. Wen, have reported this exciting news.

The Chinese Lawyers Advanced Training Program in the US was held in the season of H1N1 influenza. Encountering such difficulties, it is of great significance that this program, the first one promoted by the UCLEF, could be held on time. Lawyers attending the program also spoke highly of the training program. As Ms. Wang from Guangdong province asserted in the UCLEF Message Book, "I would like to express my gratitude to the UCLEF, for arranging this precious and fruitful opportunity to meet with American correspondents, and for their hospitality and kindness. The stay in New York is more than memorable and will certainly have a positive impact on the future career of the Chinese lawyers attending this program." Mr. Ye from Fujian province noted in his congratulation letter to President and Chair of the UCLEF: "On behalf of my law firm and myself, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the first anniversary of the UCLEF. I would also like to give my respect to your hard working last year for the promotion of the U.S.-China legal exchange. Besides, I would like to express my gratitude to your great contribution in the Chinese Lawyers Advanced Training Program in the United States. We are fully convinced that the lofty undertaking of the U.S.-China legal exchange program will come to a new stage under the leadership of the UCLEF." Mr. Li from Hubei province said: "Being the first program held by the UCLEF, the professional dedication and commitment of this program is very impressed. I would like to express my deep gratitude and best wishes to the UCLEF on the occasion of its first birthday. After my return to China, I will try all my best to contribute to the UCLEF's pursuing of excellence. Thank you for this great journey you have arranged for us."

On the evening of August 7, the UCLEF invited Mr. Zhongying Mao and Ms. Tingting Li, Counselor and Consul of the Chinese Consulate-General in New York, Mr. Wei Dawei, Chief Representative of the Chinese National Foreign Expert Bureau New York Representative Office, Mr. Jiangang Luo, Chair of the America United Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the New York lawyers and the Chinese lawyers attending the first program of the UCLEF to celebrate its first anniversary and the successful conclusion of the first training program. Holly Zhang, President of the UCLEF, in her gracious remark in the ceremony, expressed her gratitude to the leaders and friends for their support to the UCLEF. All the leaders and friends attended also addressed their wishes and regards to the UCLEF. Mr. Zhongying Mao, Counselor of the Chinese Consulate-General in New York stated: "Congratulations to the great success of the Chinese lawyers training program at the first anniversary of the U.S.-China Legal Exchange Foundation!" Mr. Dawai Wei, Chief Representative of the Chinese National Foreign Expert Bureau New York Representative Office presented with an old Chinese saying: "Learn the strengths from the others and make good of it for oneself. Congratulations to the first anniversary of the U.S.-China Legal Exchange Foundation!" Mr. Jiangang Luo, Chair of the American United Chamber of Commerce also cited a traditional Chinese saying: "A trail in the mountains, if used, becomes a path in a short time, but, if unused, becomes blocked by bushes in an equally short time. Best wishes to the development of the U.S.-China Legal Exchange Foundation! Congratulations to the first anniversary of the U.S.-China Legal Exchange Foundation!"

On the morning of August 8, the UCLEF colleagues and volunteers from US, China Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan had a celebration for the first birthday of UCLEF through the videoconference. Directors and volunteer representatives attending the conference reviewed with gratitude the work and development of the UCLEF for the past year, and expressed the same desire and passion for continuous efforts to build up the UCLEF to be a high-end and professional legal exchange platform.

Junzi Tan, volunteer representative, presented, "Dear all colleagues of the UCLEF, I am very glad to attend this conference as a volunteer representative, celebrating the first anniversary of the founding of the UCLEF. Although it's just been less than two months since I joined you, I've been deeply impressed with everyone's enthusiasm and sense of responsibility during this short period working with the UCLEF colleagues. After the first volunteer web conference of the UCLEF, I received a warm greeting from our President Holly, calling from the United States. I was deeply touched by her caring and amiable words full of great expectations for each of the volunteers. I was privileged to have worked with Diana on translation assignments for many times, she's been always willing to place herself in the volunteer's positions and gives us thoughtful considerations as well as sincere recognition of our work. Just as what she said, "It's been always enjoyable working with nice and talented minds and souls", this also is the very kind of emotion that I want to express to all our UCLEF colleagues. And I would like to take this opportunity to share it as an encouragement with all you fellows and peers. This annual conference has also deepened my understanding about our UCLEF, and made me aware of the tremendous efforts contributed by each of the directors of the UCLEF in the starting stage of the first year of UCLEF. As a UCLEF volunteer, I feel grateful that I could join this big family during its starting stage, and would be able to witness its growth with everyone here together and to do my best to contribute something helpful to the legal exchanges between China and the United States. The institution construction of the UCLEF is in the process of being perfected. And I trust that our UCLEF will be growing toward its excellence with the collective efforts of all its directions, advisers, and volunteers. Liangzi Linuo, another volunteer, said, "On the first anniversary of the founding of the UCLEF, I feel honored to be a recent joiner of the UCLEF. Two months are quite short; however, I am keenly aware of the tremendous efforts made by the UCLEF to the legal communication between China and the United States. I hope, in the following days, the UCLEF will climb to a greater height with the concerted efforts of all the colleagues, and continue to play the significant role as the bridge of legal communication between China and the United States.

UCLEF was founded on August 8,2008, the same day as the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which attracted worldwide attention. This Foundation aims to provide a platform for communication and cooperation between China and the U.S. legal professionals. After its establishment, the UCLEF spent a considerable time focusing on its fundamental work, including website building, logo designing and blog setting up. It widely invited professors in China and United States as its advisers. It also has built up relationships with relevant legal institutions and law schools, and designed and organized various projects. It has set up a well-functioning organization as well as a near-perfection conference system, and strengthened operation of each specialized committee. The UCLEF has attracted more than one hundred volunteers to participate in its operation.

After the first-year operation, the UCLEF has drawn great attention of related organizations both in China and the United States. It has initially established its influence in the legal field. At present, the UCLEF has received several proposals from organizations in both China and the US, which expect the UCLEF to host professional meetings, including China-US Forum with respect to Structured Finance and Legal Environment, Research Seminar of International Trust Law, China-US Commercial Dispute Resolution, etc. Some institutions wish to cooperate with the UCLEF to jointly provide exchange opportunities for outstanding Chinese law students to study in the United States and provide further education opportunities in the United States for Chinese lawyers. All the programs mentioned above will be gradually implemented in accordance with the UCLEF's work schedules.

The purpose of exchange is to promote cooperation. With the development of China's economy and the improvement of its overall strength, there will be a substantial increase in demand of legal service between China and the US, as well as the demand of communication and cooperation between these nations. In order to improve the efficiency of communication, the UCLEF has specially established web-based videoconferences and plans to gradually offer web-based training courses. Cooperation negotiation between Chinese and American lawyers, as well as international professional conferences, can both be held via video conferences.

The mission of the UCLEF is to mobilize all available resources in China and the United States, to promote China-U.S. exchange and cooperation and to serve for all social sectors in these two countries. An old Chinese proverb says "A thousand miles begins with a single step." On the occasion of the First Anniversary of the UCLEF's establishment, we feel a tremendous responsibility and there is still a long way to go. We will keep attracting and integrating a variety of resources to realize our mission and persist in building the UCLEF to a high-class and professional platform. We will facilitate all the tasks with a positive and pragmatic attitude and make due contributions to the US-China legal exchange.