Monday's gala raised more than $1.4 million for the NCUSCR and will enable the committee to operate its dozens of programs. In past years, it has conducted briefings for members of Congress and senior US military officers, organized trips to China for US lawmakers and their staffs for discussions with Chinese counterparts on strategic security issues, and facilitated exchanges of student leaders and teachers.

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhang Yesui poses with Steve Orlins, president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, at the 2012 NCUSCR gala dinner. Elsa Ruiz / for Ncuscr

On Oct 29, US Ambassador to China Gary Locke will speak at the sixth annual China Town Hall meetings organized by the NCUSCR. The event, which will be streamed on the Internet, will be followed by local presentations from on-site experts on China in 60 venues across the US, addressing topics within the bilateral relationship that are of particular interest to those communities.

Carla Hills, NCUSCR chairwoman and a former US trade representative, stressed the importance of diplomatic ties but also reminded Monday's gala audience about the challenges before the US and China.

"Our efforts have never been more needed. By broadening and deepening our relationship, we are more likely to find solutions to the tough issues we face," she said.

3M Co Chairman and CEO Inge Thulin receives an award from CNBC's Michelle Caruso-Cabrera recognizing his company's support for the NCUSCR and its efforts to strengthen US-China relations. Elsa Ruiz / for Ncuscr

Hills read aloud a letter from US President Barack Obama before Zhang Yesui, China's ambassador in Washington, read one from Chinese President Hu Jintao. In their letters, the leaders praised the work of the NCUSCR and emphasized the importance of and their commitment to the relationship.

"Over the years, the National Committee on US-China Relations has worked tirelessly to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples. The National Committee has also made great efforts to expand exchanges and cooperation between our two countries. I greatly appreciate your contribution to the development of China-US relations," Hu wrote.

"China and the United States are committed to working together to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, and explore a new type of relationship between our two countries," the president added.

Hu noted that China and the US are presented with important mutual opportunities as well as challenges, and he expressed hope that the NCUSCR would build upon its past successes and make new contributions to the countries' relationship.

Obama, in his letter read by Hills, said that since President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972, ties have developed in ways leaders of that time couldn't have imagined.

"We now have an extraordinary range of issues on which we work together through our regular consultations and our Strategic and Economic Dialogue," Obama wrote.

"President Hu and I understand that our countries face an overarching challenge to defy the notion that a rising power and an established power are destined for conflict. Organizations like the National Committee are essential in helping us to meet this challenge by working to increase understanding between American and Chinese citizens at all levels of society."

Indra Nooyi and Inge Thulin, CEOs of, respectively, PepsiCo Inc and 3M Co, were honored at Monday's gala for contributions to the NCUSCR and US-China relations. Each corporate executive was presented a painted scroll of a Chinese landscape by artist Zhao Wei.

PepsiCo's Nooyi briefly recalled her many trips to China, including for a personal consultation with a purveyor of traditional Chinese medicine.

In fact, she said, it was one such medicine that inspired the global snack and beverage company to produce and package Quaker Oats Congee, a rice-based porridge with red dates and wolfberries, or goji, for Chinese consumers.

"Believe me, it's delicious," Nooyi told the amused crowd.

Strong bilateral economic ties, she said, are good for the US, good for China and good for business.

"Economic partnership is not a zero-sum game. One's success does not need to be at the expense of the other. Instead, we should treat our relationship as a tremendous opportunity to ensure economic progress for both China and the United States and for millions around the world."

3M Co Chairman and CEO Inge Thulin and other invitees gather for a photo at the 2012 gala of the National Committee on United States-China Relations at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Elsa Ruiz / for Ncuscr