Page 5 - The South China Business Journal
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Charles Bennett We have only just changed our calendars, but signs of the New Year
Consul General are already upon us: the weather has grown colder, stores around
Consulate General of the United Guangzhou have begun to display hongbao and Year of the Dog decorations,
States of America, Guangzhou, China and many Chinese are making plans to return home and visit family and
friends over the Chinese New Year. The words of Wang Wei’s famous poem
resonate for both Chinese and non-Chinese alike: “Alone in a strange town,
every festival makes me think of my relatives…”
In past decades, Americans moved frequently from state to state in pursuit
of educational and work opportunities, leaving their extended families and
networks of friends scattered around the country. According to the New
York Times, in 2017 over 350 million Chinese were expected to travel by
train during the Chinese New Year season, a number greater than the U.S.
population – and that excludes air and road travel! To a foreign resident,
the depth of commitment by Chinese to return home and see their loved
ones is impressive. The large Chinese New Year crowds and long queues
at rail stations and airports, not to mention the road traffic, speak to the
importance Chinese attach to relationships.
In recent years, China has rapidly developed its transportation
infrastructure and made it more convenient for tourists and business
passengers to travel long distances. A sleek high-speed rail system now
slices through the Chinese countryside, while modern airports have
cropped up in urban centers and new bridges and road improvements
have made ground travel easier. As China continues this effort, there is
a tremendous opportunity for U.S. firms to provide their expertise and
equipment. Whether your business is design, construction, energy efficient
technology, or any of a range of other specialties, China’s market is rich with
opportunities American investment and exports. In that vein, the U.S. &
Foreign Commercial Service will be hosting the U.S.-Pan Pearl River Delta
Airport Construction Roadshow January 17-19 in Hong Kong, Guangzhou,
and Changsha (Hunan Province). The airport expansions planned in each of
these cities offer a combined $29.3 billion in business opportunities.
The change in China’s transportation network isn’t just domestic, but
international as well. I was delighted to hear that the first flight on Air
China’s new Shenzhen-Los Angeles route took place on December 7. The
increasing options for U.S.-China transport reflect our growing business and
people-to-people ties. In 2016, nearly three million Chinese visitors travelled
to the United States, while China has emerged as a top destination for U.S.
tourists. These links can facilitate even greater economic growth and cultural
exchange as our countries continue to work together.
As the New Year begins, I encourage my fellow U.S. expats in China to
join me in my resolution for 2018, to represent the best of American values,
and to strive for mutual respect and understanding. Wishing you and your
families a Happy New Year – and safe travels!
South China Business Journal 3
Charles Bennett We have only just changed our calendars, but signs of the New Year
Consul General are already upon us: the weather has grown colder, stores around
Consulate General of the United Guangzhou have begun to display hongbao and Year of the Dog decorations,
States of America, Guangzhou, China and many Chinese are making plans to return home and visit family and
friends over the Chinese New Year. The words of Wang Wei’s famous poem
resonate for both Chinese and non-Chinese alike: “Alone in a strange town,
every festival makes me think of my relatives…”
In past decades, Americans moved frequently from state to state in pursuit
of educational and work opportunities, leaving their extended families and
networks of friends scattered around the country. According to the New
York Times, in 2017 over 350 million Chinese were expected to travel by
train during the Chinese New Year season, a number greater than the U.S.
population – and that excludes air and road travel! To a foreign resident,
the depth of commitment by Chinese to return home and see their loved
ones is impressive. The large Chinese New Year crowds and long queues
at rail stations and airports, not to mention the road traffic, speak to the
importance Chinese attach to relationships.
In recent years, China has rapidly developed its transportation
infrastructure and made it more convenient for tourists and business
passengers to travel long distances. A sleek high-speed rail system now
slices through the Chinese countryside, while modern airports have
cropped up in urban centers and new bridges and road improvements
have made ground travel easier. As China continues this effort, there is
a tremendous opportunity for U.S. firms to provide their expertise and
equipment. Whether your business is design, construction, energy efficient
technology, or any of a range of other specialties, China’s market is rich with
opportunities American investment and exports. In that vein, the U.S. &
Foreign Commercial Service will be hosting the U.S.-Pan Pearl River Delta
Airport Construction Roadshow January 17-19 in Hong Kong, Guangzhou,
and Changsha (Hunan Province). The airport expansions planned in each of
these cities offer a combined $29.3 billion in business opportunities.
The change in China’s transportation network isn’t just domestic, but
international as well. I was delighted to hear that the first flight on Air
China’s new Shenzhen-Los Angeles route took place on December 7. The
increasing options for U.S.-China transport reflect our growing business and
people-to-people ties. In 2016, nearly three million Chinese visitors travelled
to the United States, while China has emerged as a top destination for U.S.
tourists. These links can facilitate even greater economic growth and cultural
exchange as our countries continue to work together.
As the New Year begins, I encourage my fellow U.S. expats in China to
join me in my resolution for 2018, to represent the best of American values,
and to strive for mutual respect and understanding. Wishing you and your
families a Happy New Year – and safe travels!
South China Business Journal 3
