presents  

On Tuesday, Dec 8, 2009, 5:00 to 6:15PM

Given the increasing importance of Sino-American relations and cooperation on major issues confronting our two countries and the world – global financial recovery, energy and climate issues, North Korea, Iran, and more - many eyes have been focused on President Obama’s November 2009 visit to China.  In December attention will turn to the Copenhagen Climate Conference where the United States and China will play key rules in deciding whether the conference will be a success or failure.  CHINA Town Hall: Local Connections, National Reflections, a nationwide event being conducted in 40 cities on Tuesday, December 8, will provide a unique opportunity to learn about the importance of China’s relationship with the United States, and have the questions that matter to them answered by leading China specialists.

Kurt Campbell will give a 15 minute update on U.S. - China relations via live webcast from Washington, DC. He will then answer questions submitted via online "Question Kiosks" from local venues.

Tian Deyou will speak on “China’s Foreign Trade and Outward Direct Investments in USA”, and take questions from Portland audience.

present:

"An Oregon Agenda on China: Now and Beyond 2010"

On Tuesday, Dec 8, 2009, 6:45 to 8:30PM

By the end of 2010, China will be the world's second largest economy.  China's GDP growth will reach 8% this year, despite a global recession.  Oregon's export to China jumped 72% from 2007 to 2008 -- China is now Oregon's top export market.

Oregon's economy, like the rest of the country, is struggling.  The Pew Center on the States lists Oregon as one of 10 states in fiscal peril.  Oregon's budget gap has increased 19%.  Without a sales tax, Oregon is overly reliant on income taxes, putting more pressure on Oregon business and job growth to close the budget gap.  Given Oregon's location on the Pacific Rim, it seems to have an advantage;  but can Oregon compete with larger states for China-related business?

The purpose of “An Oregon Agenda on China - Now and beyond 2010” is to solicit the best ideas -- from more than a dozen China related organizations in the state, and from Oregon companies doing business in China, to help elected officials gain a better understanding and create a win-win economic situation for Oregon & China. 

Join friends and colleagues for dinner, panel discussion, and networking. The panelists will focus on different aspects of Oregon-China relations, including culture, education, trade, and business. Each panelists will give a short presentation (5-10 minutes) -- followed by open discussion.

PANELISTS:

Jeffrey Barlow, “Historical perspectives of the last 30 years of China and Oregon”
Jeffrey is Professor of History and Matsushita Chair of Asian Studies at Pacific University, and a founding member and Director of the Northwest China Council. He is an authority in the fields of Modern Chinese History, Chinese Ethnic Studies, and Asian Immigration in the Pacific Northwest. Jeffrey teaches annually at Wenzhou Medical College in Wenzhou and has won the prestigious West Lake award in Hangzhou for his contribution to education in Zhejiang Province, P.R.C.

Wally Van Valkenburg, “Current status of Oregon economic development strategy and trade with China” Wally is Chair of the state’s Oregon Business Development Commission and Managing Partner of the Portland Office of Stoel Rives, LLP. Wally practices in his firm’s Technology and Intellectual Property Group, where he has represented technology companies for over 25 years in a variety of industries. He was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and is listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World.

Sen. Chris Edwards, “Report on last legislative trip to China and forest product cooperation with Fujian” Chris served two terms as State Representative before being appointed to the State Senate in September 2009. A fifth-generation Oregonian, he was born in Roseburg, grew up in Bandon and Eugene, and received his BA in Business Administration from Oregon State University. Chris’ entrepreneurial spirit motivated him to learn the ins and outs of the family’s forest products business and to work on ways to compete in an ever-changing economy.

Ocean Yuan, “Solar industry and global transition to clean energy”
Ocean founded Grape Solar in Oregon with a vision to help transform the solar industry's supply chain and help facilitate a global transition to clean solar energy. Ocean has been responsible for successfully building several large-scale PV module and semiconductor manufacturing facilities, and managing global manufacturing operations while serving as President for SolarFun Power, USA and in senior executive positions for Smith & Associates and Solectron Corp.

Cliff Allen, “Training programs for an international work force”
Cliff is Academic Director of the PSU Master of International Management Program. Cliff was Sr. VP at General Dynamics – Itronix, responsible for product marketing, design R&D, supply chain and manufacturing throughout Taiwan, China, and the U.S. He was also VP of Manufacturing for 3Com Corporation with responsibilities over the Operations of Palm Organizer Products and the Mobile Communications Division.

Tian Deyou, Panel discussion
Mr. Tian Deyou is Consul and Director of the Economic & Commercial Office of the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco. Mr. Tian started his governmental career in 1984 in the Ministry of Foreign Economic & Trade of the PRC. Prior to his current assignment, he served in the same capacity in the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago for more than 5 years. Mr. Tian graduated from Beijing Institute of Foreign Trade with a Bachelor of Economics degree, and earned his EMBA degree from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.

Jin Lan, Moderator of the Panel
Jin is President of the Oregon-Fujian Sister State Association and Executive Director of the Joint Committee on Fujian Sister State, the only statutory sister state committee in the U.S. He is a China business consultant who founded Octaxias Company, L.L.C in 1996. He helps fast-growing companies in a variety of industries to establish strategic, operational and governmental relationships and business contacts with entities in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Jin has published a number of books in the PRC and has been featured in articles published in Oregon Business, the Oregonian, Portland Business Journal and other English and Chinese news media.