Expanding California exports, growing California jobs are focus of a busy six-day trip
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived November 13 in Beijing, China, to launch an historic six-day trade mission to promote California’s high-quality products and services to the world’s fastest-growing economy, encourage Chinese investment in the Golden State and raise awareness of important intellectual property rights issues.
“China is one of California’s fastest-growing trading partners and its more than 1 billion citizens represent an important market for California products and services,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “I am looking forward to a busy and substantive schedule that will grow our relationship with this important Pacific Rim partner, grow California exports and create jobs.”
The Governor is leading a delegation of 75 California employers representing a cross-section of the state’s leading industries, including computer and communications technologies, agriculture, tourism, financial services, environmental and energy technologies, transportation and education.
“The Governor’s leadership and his tremendous international star power are helping companies like mine grow our business in China and create jobs in California,” said Margaret Wong, a delegate and CEO of McWong International, a Sacramento-based manufacturer of industrial water treatment equipment. “Governor Schwarzenegger’s advocacy on behalf of McWong and many other California companies eyeing China’s burgeoning commercial and consumer markets has helped us secure numerous projects and increase exports that help our business grow and ultimately benefit California.”
Sacramento-based McWong manufactures water treatment equipment for various industrial applications.
During stops in Beijing (Nov. 14-16), Shanghai (Nov. 17) and Hong Kong (Nov. 18-19), Governor Schwarzenegger will participate in numerous meetings with Chinese business leaders and key government officials to discuss ways in which California can help meet China’s growing needs.
Among those needs are products, services and technologies that can help China manage its staggering economic growth, estimated at 9.5% annually, protect its environment, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, improve its communications infrastructure and modernize its banking system.
“California’s strength as an innovator and world leader in science, technology and solutions related to the environment and alternative energy make it a natural partner with China,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “Equally important is the fact that increasing California exports and bringing Chinese investment into California translates into more jobs for Californians. One in seven jobs in California is related to trade.”
The Governor is scheduled to deliver an important speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China’s premier educational institutions that counts among its alumni President Hu Jintao. He plans to visit a steel manufacturing plant outside Shanghai where California water treatment technology is helping conserve water and reduce pollution. He’ll also visit the Port of Shanghai, to hear from officials at this world-leading facility their ideas for how California can improve goods movement through its own ports.
In Beijing, the Governor will attend a Made in California Expo organized by the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth that will showcase to a Chinese audience the products and services of more than 40 California companies, including food, wine and fashion.
“I want to thank the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade for inviting me to come to China and for all their help in making our visit enjoyable and productive,” the Governor said.
In Hong Kong, Governor Schwarzenegger will unveil a new public service announcement jointly produced by California and Hong Kong and aimed at stamping out pirating of intellectual property, from software to agricultural and myriad other consumer goods.
China has worked hard in recent years to raise awareness of intellectual property rights (IPR) and curb piracy. Governor Schwarzenegger plans to acknowledge China’s efforts and discuss with California’s Chinese partners how they can cooperate to battle this illegal practice, which can discourage trade and economic partnerships.
