Columbia, Maryland: Business backers

John McDonough (right), Maryland's secretary of state, presents Mike Violette, president of the Maryland-China Business Council, a certificate of appreciation from Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley in recognition of the organization's promotion of commerce between the state and China. The certificate was presented at the council's annual banquet on Wednesday. The event was attended by Heng Xiaojun, a diplomat at the Chinese Embassy in Washington. John Dove / For China Daily