CHICAGO,   (Xinhua) -- More than 300 Chinese cuisine experts and restaurant owners from more than 50 countries and regions gathered online at the Third U.S. International Chinese Cuisine Forum on Monday to tackle the challenges Chinese cuisine faces during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The theme of the forum this year focused on how Chinese cuisine getting out of the difficulties after COVID-19, strengthening exchanges and cooperation with world catering industry and introducing high technologies.

Addressing the forum, Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Jian said Chinese cuisine is treasured memory of Chinese people and Chinese nation, as well as a window for people worldwide to know and understand China. "It condenses Chinese people's yearning for a better life, and is a name-card of China."

Zhao praised U.S.-China Restaurant Alliance for organizing affiliated Chinese restaurants and donating more than 100,000 Bentos to healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers across the United States during the fight against COVID-19.

Facing difficulties, Zhao believes Chinese restaurants will work together through thick and thin to embrace new development.

Tony Hu, chairman of the U.S.-China Restaurant Alliance who hosted the forum, said it is especially important to host the forum when COVID-19 pandemic is severe worldwide, as it provides a platform for Chinese cuisine experts and restaurant owners to exchange views, share experiences, dispel doubts, and strengthen the conviction in the fight against COVID-19.

All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese Vice Chairman Liu Yiqin made a speech at the forum online.

The first two U.S. International Chinese cuisine forums were held on the sidelines of the annual Centennial National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago in May. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the annual event this year has been cancelled.

The U.S.-China Restaurant Alliance, originally named American Chinese Restaurant Institute established in 2018, is dedicated to build a global platform to facilitate Chinese cuisine's exchange with the world's catering industry, promote famous Chinese cuisine brands worldwide, and introduce world's famous catering brands into China.  ■a