It is often said that if California were a country, it would have the world's eighth-largest GDP. The Golden State is certainly doing business like a country when it comes to trade with China.

The 11th annual Global California conference, with the focus on California's "Super Region of Innovation", will be held Dec 3 in Santa Cruz, California. Special attention at the conference will be given to the relationship between China and California.

The focus will be on China and its leading innovation centers and how they can interact with California's region of innovation to promote bilateral trade and investment, said Tony Livoti, president of the Monterey Bay International Trade Association (MBITA).

The event will be co-hosted by MBITA, TradePort.org, the Bay Area Council, China Silicon Valley and Brand Monterey Bay (BMB). Trade and investment between California's small and medium-sized enterprises and the global marketplace are on the agenda.

The San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley and the Monterey Bay comprise the "super region" in California with companies in information technology, clean tech, biotech, ag tech and marine tech products, services and expertise.

The two largest economies in the world need to have close business relationships to maintain their leadership positions in the world economy, Livoti said.

Livoti said that "the more successful trade and investment between China and the US, especially California is . the less "cold war rhetoric " will occur.

"The bridges between the two countries have morphed into green, innovation superhighways with a focus on sustainable technologies and services as well as investment, telemedicine, eco-tourism, and e-commerce", said an MBITA press release.

Victor Wang, president of China Silicon Valley, said: "The innovation spirit and lifestyle of California's 'Super Region of Innovation' is spreading throughout the Chinese marketplace from Shandong to Shenzhen, creating opportunities for economic growth, job creation and successful bilateral trade with a focus on the clean tech sectors to address climate change."

About 200 representative of California small- and medium-sized enterprises that seek new business opportunities in China and other countries, as well as government officials from local, state and federal levels and an array of trade promotion service providers are expected to attend the event.

Panelists and speakers for the conference this year include Xia Xiang, economic and commercial counselor of China in San Francisco; Ben Chen, president of Chinese Enterprise Association; Del Christensen, chief of Global Initiative at Bay Area Council; and Wang Haohong, general manager of TCL Research America.

zilian@chinadailyusa.com