Zhongshan Municipal Committee Standing Member Liang Lixian led Zhongshan Overseas Friendship Association Delegation(ZSOFAD) to Middle and Southern America for economic, trade and cultural communication from January 7 to 16. The delegation respectively visited Costa Rica, Panama and Chicago of the United States and made evident progress in terms of overseas Chinese societies development and economic cooperation.

The delegation first arrived in Costa Rica and held a symposium with representatives of overseas Zhongshanese. Liang Lixian told at the symposium that she hoped overseas Zhongshanese would play a more important role in spreading the traditional Chinese culture, communication in culture and sport, and economic cooperation between the two places.

The delegation visited Zhongshan Overseas Zhongshanese Association, Chinese Trade Representative Office in Panama and Zhongshan-Panama Cultural Center in Panama, and held a celebration party with overseas Zhongshanese in Panama. Liang Lixian expressed her hope that the local overseas Zhongshanese would care about the Motherland and play an active role of bridge in friendly cooperation. The delegation had an intimate talk with representatives of overseas Zhongshanese.