Patti MacJennett, senior vice-president of business affairs at the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, said tourism is the most important form of cultural exchange, and China continues to be an important contributor to LA tourism.

"In fact, China has become our No. 1 overseas market for travel to Los Angeles last year. We are the first US city to get over 1.1 million visitors from (China)," she said.

The agency opened an office in Chengdu last year to go with their branches in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, MacJennett said.