U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce has been very busy, and we have a full calendar in the next few months in order to provide assistance to both U.S. and Chinese companies. As we have marched into a new millennium, there has been a change in the business fundamentals. Manufacturers continue to face unprecedented challenges due to the world’s excess capacity, unstoppable rise in worldwide energy and raw material cost, double digit inflationary rate and rapid rise in labor cost in China, and fierce competition across the globe ranging from Vietnam to Germany.

However, in this uncertain world, something remains constant. U.S. companies and professionals continue to hold advantages in the areas of high value added goods and services, advanced technologies, innovations, and research and development. While I believe that manufacturing is critical to the stability of the world’s economy and will continue to focus on the manufacturing sector, I trust that the next Gold Rush for U.S. companies and professionals will be in the areas of healthcare, elderly care, and education in China. The recent healthcare reform in China has opened up the door, and yet the opportunities will dissipate in a hurry. In the next few months, USCCC will refocus and organize a number of events to address a broad range of issues. I am pleased to announce the following upcoming events, and please make every effort to join us on those occasions. Any comments will be deeply appreciated.

UPCOMING EVENTS

APRIL

Bruce Fogelson, Co-Chair, Roosevelt University China Initiative, has invited us to an upcoming Gerald Fogelson Forum on Real Estate – International Gateway, The Final Phase of Central Station. This event is to be held on this Thursday, April 14 at The Congress Lounge, Roosevelt University, 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago. A cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., which will be followed by a panel discussion will immediately follow. The moderator will be Gerald Fogelson, Co-Founder of the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate, Roosevelt University and one of the most prominent leaders in the real estate industry. Panelists will include Benet Haller, Director of Urban Design and Development, City of Chicago; David Haymes, COO and Principal, Pappageorge/Haymes; Richard Levy, Ungaretti & Harris; and Timothy Desmond, President, Central Station Development. Bruce is a member of our organization, and we are grateful that he has offered USCCC two complimentary tickets to the events. I hope that you will take advantage of this program. Please contact our office as soon as possible if you are interested. I would also like to apologize for the delay in sending you this message. For further information, please click http://www.cvent.com/events/the-fogelson-forum-april-14-2011/event-summary-9f6802f07521487e96117f7924aa4c88.aspx 

MAY

“Changzhou Meets Atlanta: A Seminar on Bilateral Trade & Investments” – Atlanta, Tuesday, May 10 “

“Changzhou Meets Detroit: A Seminar on Bilateral Trade & Investments” – Detroit, Thursday, May 12

USCCC and the City of Changzhou will co-host two seminars discussing bilateral trade and investments between the U.S. and China in Atlanta and Detroit in honor of a high level delegation consisting of over 30 senior business and government leaders from Changzhou, led by The Honorable Han Jiuyuan, Vice Mayor. We are grateful for the support of Metro Atlanta Chamber, Wayne County, and Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce in sponsoring these two exceptional events. As China is marching into the fourth decade of economic reform, the global economy has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. The changes could be attributable to the shuttling of the geo-political balance; advent of personal computers and internet; and many other things. China has now edged the U.S. as the top manufacturing country accounting for 19.8% and U.S. second for 19.4 % of the world’s output. As China is the world fastest growing consumer market, U.S. companies are going to China to sell to the Chinese. Further, we have seen an increasing inbound investment from China.

With the high speed rail, Changzhou is only about an hour away from Shanghai, and yet, cost of operations in Changzhou is significantly less. As a progressive economy, many Changzhou companies have also set up operations and make investments in the U.S. Changzhou is also very rich in its resources and finance; accordingly, it presents U.S. companies and professionals with abundant opportunities that are not unparalleled by other municipalities. These two seminars will address some of the important issues that are relevant for decision making. While the focus will continue to be in manufacturing, I will make a presentation about what I have seen in the last 18 months and will comment on the future opportunities for U.S. companies, particularly, in the healthcare, elderly care, and education areas. These two events will also give the participants an unusual opportunity to meet face to face with those senior government officials and business executives in Changzhou. Further information will be available. Please save the dates for these two exceptional events. These events are by invitation only, and they will be free.

Workshop: Update on U.S. Regulations on U.S.-China Business – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 20

In co-operation with Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, USCCC is co-hosting a workshop to give the business community an update on the current laws and regulations on import/export compliance; foreign corruption practice act; and other critical issues in doing business with the Chinese. This event will be held at the Conference facility of Katten Muchin Rosenman at 525 W. Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60661-3693. Participants will receive the appropriate units of CPE. Breakfast, lunch and workshop materials will be included. For USCCC members, there will be no charge. For non-members, the fee will be $85 per person. Further information will be sent out next week. Spaces are limited, and please save the date for this important workshop.

OTHER EVENTS

Workshop: Nuts and Bolts of Selling into China (July/August)

Conference: Healthcare in China: The Next Gold Rush for U.S. Companies (August/September)

Roundtable Discussion (Web-Based): The Challenges Facing Today’s Manufacturers (Late May/Early June)

With best,

Siva Yam, CPA, CFA
President
U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce