On May 19, 2018, Consul General Hong Lei attended the opening ceremony of the Second China Exhibit Section at the 2018 Chicago National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show. Deputy Consul General Yu Peng, Director Zhong Fuhua of the Organizing Committee for the China Exhibit Section, Chairman Huang Min of the American Chinese Culinary Federation, Chairman Hu Xiaojun of the America Chinese Restaurant Institute, Chairman Wang Xingwu of the Chinese American Association of Greater Chicago, President Huang Hui of the Chicago Chinese Restaurant Association and other Chicago Chinese catering industry professionals, some catering industry representatives and business leaders from China attended the event.

In his speech, Consul General Hong Lei stated that the Chicago National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show, which has a long history, is an important event for the international catering industry. This year is the second consecutive year in which the China section has been set up at the NRA Show to collectively showcase the development of Chinese cuisine industry. Compared with last year, this year's China Exhibit Section features new innovations such as establishing cuisine forum and demonstrating culinary arts, to enrich the China Exhibit Section. Consul General Hong Lei said that Chinese culinary art highlights the sight, smell and taste of food. It embodies Chinese people’s pursuit of a better life through the ages. It encompasses Chinese culture’s ingenuity, elegance and poetic beauty. Chinese cuisine is an important component of Chinese culture. It is also an important medium for spreading Chinese culture overseas. He hoped this China Exhibit Section will play a positive role in promoting the development of the Chinese cuisine industry, combining the strength of Chinese restaurant businesses in China and in the United States, and spreading Chinese culture in the U.S..