To and from Asia - Two examples of delegations organized by KIG and UCBI

Senior-ranking government officials from the province of Xinjiang, China, completed a a three-month executive education course at Woodbury University in Burbank, California, through Woodbury’s Pacific Rim Programs.

In China, these executives hold key government positions in Xinjiang Province, overseeing various bureaus, including those of information, foreign affairs, the judiciary, finance, tourism, graduate studies, health, earthquake safety, trade and economics, and medical university education. Two out of the total fifteen delegates who attended were women, demonstrating the on-going trend in China where women are obtaining more positions of high authority.

As part of the Pacific Rim Programs, Woodbury has hosted many international guests, including delegations from China and Japan. According to Richard King, director of the programs, “This delegation was unique because it included high-level officials from one of the autonomous regions in China which is positioning itself to take advantage of the economic reforms taking place in China. We are privileged to have this opportunity to learn from their experiences, while offering them a first-hand look at the way public administration and business is managed in the United States.”

The delegates attended lecture and discussion sessions conducted by senior faculty members at Woodbury, along with public administration, government and business leaders from Burbank and Los Angeles. They also attended on-site government and business discussions around Los Angeles. In total, the delegates spent three months in the United States, including business visits to Hawaii, Silicon Valley, New York and Washington D.C.

Xinjiang is a unique province with significant advantages of economic development in China. According to King, “I was very impressed by the beauty and richness of Xinjiang when I first visited as the head of a California state delegation in 1979. A great change has taken place since then. With the rapid development of the market economy and China’s entry into the World Trade Organization, Xinjiang will be administering more effective public administration and business management.”

With support from the California State Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, the Xinjiang Delegation program is one in a series of educational programs developed by the US China Business Institute (UCBI), in conjunction with Woodbury’s Pacific Rim Programs. According to Charlie Wang, president of UCBI, “It is very rewarding to build cultural exchange between the United States and China. We are grateful to the talented staff and faculty of Woodbury University for welcoming our visitors from Xinjiang Province.”

China Business Development Trip - Beijing, Shanghai - Fall 2001

Los Angeles business leaders met with their counterparts in China in a delegation trip led by Richard King and Charlie Wang of UCBI. Welcomed by Chinese government officials and business executives, these individuals shared ideas in areas such as agribusiness, heath care, urban planning, economic development, venture capital, and training and education.

Some feedback from those who participated in the delegation:

Walter F. Payne, Jr., California Chamber Chair and President Emeritus of Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento

“With each stop of our delegation, we were met by ranking government officials including governors, mayors and key agency managers. With China’s entrance into the World Trade Organization, the Chinese government is especially keen on having its key people trained on how to effectively operate under new rules. China sees the great opportunity WTO offers and wants to capitalize on it. In addition, the Chinese are euphoric with hosting the 2008 Olympic Games, and intend to spend $22 billion in preparation.”

Greg D. Whitney, Vice President, Business Development, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation

“We met with top provincial government and business leaders and identified many opportunities to collaborate on economic development projects such as business incubators. We also have developed relationships with Chinese who are looking for opportunities in Southern California.”

Mark S. Gamble, Vice President, Inland Area, Health Care Association of Southern California

“During our visit, we met with health care leaders and visited hospitals and medical facilities. As privatization increases in China, there is more movement toward independent hospitals and health care systems. Chinese people are living longer and place more priority on quality of life. Thus, the demand is growing for improved facilities and medical equipment, insurance, pharmaceuticals and training. In addition, these leaders have a great interest in learning more about how the U.S. health care system is structured. Their current system is going through incredible reform as they delve deeper into a more ‘market driven’ health care delivery system.”