I participated in the Minnesota Mission to China – 2005 as President of USCPFA - Minnesota. The intent of the Board of Directors as they sent me forward was to raise awareness of USCPFA - Minnesota in the Minnesota Chinese community, the business and educational communities with interests in China, and the larger global community. USCPFA - Minnesota was the only participating cultural organization. Our mission of developing and strengthening friendship and understanding between peoples of the United States and China stood out boldly. “Network” was the directive given to me. Conscientiously I carried my USCPFA – Minnesota bilingual business card, a brochure of the organization and the garden, membership form, and willingness to share our message.

An early departure for Beijing allowed time to visit with design contacts of the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society at the Beijing Municipal Urban Planning Institute. Mr. Ma Liangwei and his colleagues took it upon themselves to assist me in walking off jet lag in the crisp, sunny air of gardens and parks. A highlight of this week was my accommodation in a boutique hotel in the Dongsi District. The traditional home with courtyard motif included a small garden, outside seating, huge red night lanterns, an imposing red gate which provided access off the tiny alley. Ask me about this delightful accommodation. I would be happy to provide a contact.

The Mission itinerary began with a trek up the Great Wall. It was inspiring to see dignitaries such as Governor Tim and First Lady Mary Pawlenty, University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks, owners, executives, loyal employees of Minnesota educational and business enterprises accepting the challenge to tread the steep and uneven staircase – ascending and descending. We ended the day with a Street Market buffet in the Grand Hyatt Hotel talking to new and old acquaintances. This was the one and only day of leisure in what was a grueling schedule.

My compliments are extended here to Minnesota Trade Office Staff and especially Tony Lorusso for preparation and accomplishment of a remarkable Mission for 218 people attending 94 different events over six days. China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT0 was partner with the Minnesota Trade Office in planning and hosting this memorable mission.

As the program progressed, staff of the American Beijing Embassy and Shanghai Consulate gave informational presentations and fielded questions. The eight interest delegations had varying daily schedules which involved discussions on issues of intellectual property rights, finding business contacts and exercising due diligence to assure desirability/safety/profitability of relationships, learning of government legislative and enforcement in business in China, questioning how American businesses can operate when the visa process for Chinese counterparts is complicated and often futile.

As a member of the General Delegation, I toured the Shanghai Planning Museum, the Emerson Beijing Instrument Co., Ltd. and Seton Automotive Leather Manufacturing Facility. The two companies operate profitably with nearly total Chinese-national staffing. An astonishing figure of employee costs of $1-2 per hour including benefits brings reality to the threat/benefit of China in the world market. Minnesotans must be innovators to stay in the competitive market. Luncheons were working sessions for meeting resource people working in China as well as an introduction to the Chamber of Commerce which assists American businesses to thrive in a growing and relatively difficult economic environment.

At the request of USCPFA and Governor Pawlenty, the Minnesota Trade office invited officials of Minnesota’s Sister Relationships to attend a memorable evening banquet at the Great Hall of the People. Shaanxi, Harbin and Loudi sent large delegations. A private meeting, gift exchange, and photo session was provided for these groups by Governor Tim and First Lady Mary Pawlenty. Since USCPFA-Minnesota and its members have been instrumental in the formation and continuation of these relationships, our delegation was invited to participate.

USCPFA – Minnesota was well represented on the Mission. Full itinerary delegates included Linda Mealey-Lohmann who chaperoned students and introduced delegates to the Northern-style Chinese garden proposed for the Twin Cities, Hong Yang, Director of the University of Minnesota China Center, Amy Xu, Partner with Dorsey Whitney, LLP, Ruilin Li Corporate Attorney with Fredrickson & Byron PA, Jean Wilhelm, Partner in American Business Practices, Michael Schumann, Partner with Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson PC, Connie Wang, Attorney with Kelly and Fawcett PA. Many people joined the Mission for social events. USCPFA members at these events included Jennie Hsiao, Joan Brzezinski, Chang Wang, Sophia Wang, Ben Zhou, and Lili Pan. John Holden and Ma Liangwei were invited as guests of USCPFA – Minnesota.

In this issue, Linda Mealey-Lohmann and Jean Wilhelm share some of the highlights of their travels with the Minnesota Mission to China – 2005. As you may have noticed on the front page, a group of the delegates will be presenting a short skit during our Chinese New Year Banquet on January 15. Our special guests for this year will include delegates from the Mission. We have extended invitations to all the people and organizations involved. It should make for a very interesting evening of entertainment and conversation. Please join us!

Traveling to China with the Governor’s Mission was a new experience for me. Although this was my sixteenth trip to China, I still saw a side of China that I had not seen before. It was a flurry of five-star hotels and grand ballrooms, meetings with Chinese dignitaries and business people, luncheons featuring Governor Pawlenty as guest speaker, and networking receptions. Most interesting for me, however, was to see China through the eyes of the seven high school ambassadors who were selected to travel with the Mission. Their enthusiasm for China and the Chinese culture infected the entire delegation of 218 people and contributed much to the success of the trip.

Students contributed articles, photos, and videos to the Minnesota DEED website each evening during the trip. www.minnesota-china.com/Education. Each day the students were assigned to travel with one of the seven sub-delegation groups, which included IT, Environment, Medical, Education, Agriculture & Energy, Steel & Mining, and General. Based on what they had learned or observed that day, they wrote a journal entry about that designated topic. My job was to coordinate who was traveling with which sub-delegation each day and to make sure they completed their journal entries each evening. The students’ commitment was remarkable, sometimes staying up well past midnight to finish their submissions after rather long and hectic days.

I had the pleasure of traveling with students on special outings with the Governor or First Lady. One such memorable day I traveled with student Priya Sury to the First Lady’s meeting at the All-China Women’s Federation, a national organization dedicated to the advancement of Chinese women of all ethnic groups. We met with three key members of the organization, Ms. Zhao Shaohua, Ms. Zou Xiaoqioa, and Ms. Zhao Lirong. We had a very candid discussion about advancing women’s rights, empowering women by teaching basic skills, and balancing work and family. It was a very uplifting experience to learn that women have the same basic desires all across the globe.

Overall, I feel that it was very valuable to include the seven student ambassadors on this trip. At all times during the trip, the students exhibited a professionalism and genuine inquisitiveness that left a lasting impression on all who met them. All of the students had their eyes opened to our global community as they realized they are truly citizens of the world. They all agreed that this was a life-changing experience.

The future is in good hands if these students are representative of their generation.

There were long days, short nights, delayed flights, and few workouts that week but what an amazing trip! I felt so honored to be a part of the Governor’s Trade Mission to China in November and I continue to savor the moments. Following are some of the highlights for me:

The opportunity to see China – There is no amount of reading, talking, or seeing movies that can prepare a person for actually visiting China. It’s so big. The sheer masses of people, cars, and buildings is unbelievable and, when you start to think about the infrastructure that is needed to support all of this, well, that is simply overwhelming.

The other delegates – I learned as much from the other delegates as I did from the trade mission meetings and presenters. There was a lot of experience in that group and we had many opportunities to talk. What I particularly liked was that the various delegations mingled so well and people spent time getting to know one another. I have many new contacts and hope to work with several of them in the future.

The business resources – Each day offered new avenues for doing business in China. I hadn’t realized before the trip how much is available to us, much of it free to U.S. citizens. It will take me awhile to sift through my notes and determine if and how to use these resources.

The MTO staff – I have to acknowledge the effort made by the delegation coordinators and Tony Lorusso. It was clear that many hours and much work had been put into making this trip be the best it could be. I was always clear about the itinerary, the arrangements, and when the bus was leaving!