Page 5 - The South China Business Journal
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Charles Bennett We capped off a busy summer at the consulate with two visits that rep-
Consul General resent our broad engagement with south China and the depth of our
Consulate General of the United relationship with the business community here. On August 18, we welcomed
States of America, Guangzhou, China Ambassador Terry Branstad on his first-ever visit to Guangzhou. Earlier in
the month, we welcomed Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on his fourth visit
to the city. The consulate helped arrange for our distinguished guests to meet
with local and foreign business representatives to hear about the business
environment and market opportunities. The message we received from
corporate leaders was clear - the market potential in south China is large but
foreign companies feel less welcomed because of both official regulation and
unwritten rules that discourage investment, inhibiting the greater economic
development and competitiveness of south China.
In his first visit to Guangzhou, Ambassador Branstad arrived with the goal
of hearing company leaders’ thoughts on the local business environment.
He and I met representatives from a cross-section of industries ranging
from aviation and finance to healthcare and smart cities suppliers. He left
Guangzhou impressed by the infrastructure and economic dynamism of the
city. He also heard from the business community that more needs to be done
to ensure that foreign investments, which have contributed significantly to
south China’s economy and human capital, receive fair treatment. He has
pledged to visit every province in China and will likely be back in our con-
sular district again.
Governor Snyder led a trade delegation at the Michigan-Guangdong Ex-
change Forum. The delegation consisted of companies from the automotive,
environmental technology, information technology, advanced manufactur-
ing, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals industries who came to Guangzhou in
search of business partners. Governor Snyder shared his perspective on how
the United States continues to be an attractive destination for Chinese com-
panies seeking to invest overseas thanks to diverse and high-level American
technical industry expertise in many sectors.
Besides these two visits, south China has hosted many high-profile events
in recent months and will host the Fortune Global Forum in December.
There is no better time to show the world that south China is serious about
becoming a market-driven business center that welcomes the international
business community.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all our friends and partners in south China!
South China Business Journal 3
Charles Bennett We capped off a busy summer at the consulate with two visits that rep-
Consul General resent our broad engagement with south China and the depth of our
Consulate General of the United relationship with the business community here. On August 18, we welcomed
States of America, Guangzhou, China Ambassador Terry Branstad on his first-ever visit to Guangzhou. Earlier in
the month, we welcomed Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on his fourth visit
to the city. The consulate helped arrange for our distinguished guests to meet
with local and foreign business representatives to hear about the business
environment and market opportunities. The message we received from
corporate leaders was clear - the market potential in south China is large but
foreign companies feel less welcomed because of both official regulation and
unwritten rules that discourage investment, inhibiting the greater economic
development and competitiveness of south China.
In his first visit to Guangzhou, Ambassador Branstad arrived with the goal
of hearing company leaders’ thoughts on the local business environment.
He and I met representatives from a cross-section of industries ranging
from aviation and finance to healthcare and smart cities suppliers. He left
Guangzhou impressed by the infrastructure and economic dynamism of the
city. He also heard from the business community that more needs to be done
to ensure that foreign investments, which have contributed significantly to
south China’s economy and human capital, receive fair treatment. He has
pledged to visit every province in China and will likely be back in our con-
sular district again.
Governor Snyder led a trade delegation at the Michigan-Guangdong Ex-
change Forum. The delegation consisted of companies from the automotive,
environmental technology, information technology, advanced manufactur-
ing, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals industries who came to Guangzhou in
search of business partners. Governor Snyder shared his perspective on how
the United States continues to be an attractive destination for Chinese com-
panies seeking to invest overseas thanks to diverse and high-level American
technical industry expertise in many sectors.
Besides these two visits, south China has hosted many high-profile events
in recent months and will host the Fortune Global Forum in December.
There is no better time to show the world that south China is serious about
becoming a market-driven business center that welcomes the international
business community.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all our friends and partners in south China!
South China Business Journal 3
