Bank of China opened its newest New York branch on June 27 in Flushing, Queens, relocating its Chinatown branch from Manhattan. "The new branch is a big move and a fresh start for Bank of China New York to serve a greater community," said Wu Shiqiang, president of Bank of China USA. Sun Guoxiang, consul general of the People's Republic of China in New York, said the establishment of the Queens branch marks another strategic step for Bank of China to expand its presence in the United States. "By facilitating 1 nancial services for both the Chinese and US clients, Bank of China will be able to create more jobs, promote local economic growth, and make further contributions to the China-US friendship," Sun said. Peter Koo, who was elected to the City Council in 2009 and represents Flushing among other neighborhoods in Queens, said that Bank of China's new branch will help enhance the image of Queens as a local 1 nancial center.