CalChamber Joins Governor on Successful Asia Trade Mission 
CalChamber, September 21, 2010

California Business Delegation

“The business and trade mission to Asia led by California Governor Schwarzenegger served to strengthen ties and increase economic opportunities among our major trade and investment partners”… “In particular, the Governor’s enthusiastic support of the pending US-Korea Free Trade Agreement will add to the momentum for the eventual passage of this important trading relationship.”

-Susanne Stirling, Vice President of International Affairs, CalChamber

“Intalio, a software company based in Palo Alto,  is the leading provider of Private Cloud Computing solutions for Global Fortune 500 companies and Telecommunications Service Providers. We do a third of our business in Asia Pacific, and expect this ratio to increase to over 50 percent by the end of next year. While most business has been done in Japan so far, we expect China, South Korea, and Singapore to drive the majority of our growth in the region moving forward.  Furthermore, as the Chinese economy continues to expand, we expect more and more technology transfers to take place between China and the United States. In such a context, I viewed this trade and investment mission as an excellent platform for developing new relationships in China, Japan, and Korea, while sharing experiences with other business leaders from California. I  was also interested in sharing ideas with Government officials from California and the United States, while doing our part to promote the State of California as a great place to do business and a strategic partner for Asia-Pacific organizations”.

-Ismael Chang Ghalimi. CEO & President, Intalio, Inc.

“Participating in the Governor’s recent mission to Asia, assisted me in my quest to promote a better business cultural understanding between the U.S. and China to enhance economic opportunities between both countries which I call home.  My own story from the time I immigrated to the U.S. to working with U.S. companies to becoming a successful US-China entrepreneur in California represents the classic American dream in itself. I founded McWong International, Inc. in 1984 and since that time, have been fortunate to create one of the west coast’s most successful China trade companies in the electrical and lighting products industry – followed by the 1997 founding of McWong Environmental and Energy Group, specializing in the export of environmental and energy related technology and equipment for wastewater treatment projects in China.  With offices and multiple factories in China and headquarters located in West Sacramento, I am continually promoting strong business and government connections in China. Being a part of this mission has helped me with my success in linking multi-million dollar businesses between California and China”.

-Margaret Wong, President & CEO  (identified by the Sacramento Bee as “Business Empress”)

Hangzhou, China – Day One – Friday, September 10

An Informal Welcome Cocktail Reception was held the evening of September 10, hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce. From the lovely view of the Hotel Terrace overlooking the West Lake, the business delegates, as well as the government delegation, became acquainted with each other in preparation for the trade mission.

Starting the Trade Mission, the CalChamber business delegates were treated to a continental breakfast and coffee with the U.S. Ambassador to China, Mr. Jon Huntsman.Ambassador Huntsman gave the delegates a briefing ofU.S.-China relations.Several questions were asked of the Ambassador,such as the status of the visa waiver program.Governor Schwarzenegger arrived and welcomed the delegates before escorting Ambassador and Mrs. Huntsman to a private breakfast where they discussedU.S., specifically California, relations with China.

Gov. Schwarzenegger and Susanne Stirling, CalChamber,talking with Ambassador Huntsman
Photo by Peter Grigsby, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Ambassador Huntsman with Susanne Stirling, CalChamber

CalChamber delegates talking with Californiagovernment officials

Ambassador Huntsman talking with Secretary Dale Bonner (California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency).

Gov. Schwarzenegger talking with Ambassador Huntsman while Dr. Sehat Sutardja from Marvell Semiconductor looks on.
Photo by Peter Grigsby, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

The business delegation then travelled to Alibaba Corporate Headquarters with the Governor for a briefing on the company. Later, Governor Schwarzenegger addressed Alibaba employees for the kick-off of their annual conference.

Governor Schwarzenegger during the Alibaba briefing

Alibaba employees straining to take a picture of the Governor

Governor Schwarzenegger speaking to Alibaba employees.

Alibaba was founded in 1999 by Jack Ma and is privately ownedgroup of Internet-based businesses. It has 18,000 employees and operates in 240 countries. Alibaba.com, subsidiary of the group has amarket cap of $10 billion. Jack Ma is also a presence in the Bay Area.

Alibaba Group makes it easy for anyone to buy or sell online anywhere in the world. It is a family of Internet-based businesses that includes business-to-business international trade, online retailand payment platforms and data-centric cloud computing services

The CalChamber business delegationjoined the Bay Area Council delegatesfor a lunch with Hangzhou municipal government leaders.This was a great networking opportunity forthe state and businessdelegations to meet, not only companies based in China, but also those located in California.
Thanks tothe Bay Area Council for their hospitality.

After the luncheon, the CalChamber delegation headed to the Great Hall to hear Governor Schwarzenegger’s speech to the Annual Alibaba Conference. The Governor was the keynote speaker of this conference,which was attended by thousands of Chinese entrepenuers and students, all led by Jack Ma.

Governor Schwarzenegger speaking at the Great Hall

For the evening festivities, the CalChamber delegation rejoined the Bay Area Council for a Dragon Boat cruise on the historic West Lake.This was anexcellent opportunity to take in some of the sights, historical buildings andexceptional landscaping around the West Lake.

Susanne Stirling, CalChamber, standing in front of the Dragon Boat

Dinner was hosted by ZAP Electric and held atVincent Lo’s Hangzhou Clubhouse.

This thousand-year-old Yong Jin Lou heritage building dates back to theZhenghe Era ofNorthern Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1127).During the QingDynasty (A.D. 1644-1911), this landmark became a teahouse called San Ya Yuan (a quiet and elegant garden. Later in 1925 itbecame ‘Fang Lu’, after Huang Yuanxiu, a revolutionary elite during the Chinese Republican Revolution, moved in. In 1965 it became another teahouse and in 2003 was renovated.It is oneof the only buildings allowed on the shore of the West Lake and is a very special and unique dining experience.

Shanghai, China – Day Three, Sunday, September 12

After leaving Hangzhou early in the morning, the CalChamber business delegation arrived at the boat launch in Shanghai at approximately 10:30am.

The delegates took a leisurely cruise to the World Expo VIP Pudong Entrance. There the delegates were met by Chen Anjie, Deputy Party Secretary and Deputy Director, Shanghai World Expo.

The World Expo is described as the Olympic Games of the economic, scientific and industrial world,
Expo 2010 hosts more than 190 countries and 50 international organizations competing to display their idea of cutting-edge technology as well as blueprints for the ideal global village of the future. The theme for Expo 2010 will be “Better City – Better Life” and signifies Shanghai’s new status in the 21st century as a major economic and cultural center.

First, the CalChamber delegation visited the Korean pavilion. This exhibit focused on strengthening ties of friendship between South Korea and China.

Next, the delegation joined the Bay Area Council at the US pavilion. It was here that Governor Schwarzenegger and the Bay Area Council announced their intent to bid for the 2020 World Expo to be held in Silicon Valley.

Governor Schwarzenegger, U.S. Consulate representative and Jim Wunderman of the Bay Area Council
announce California’s World Expo 2020 bid.

Secretary A.G. Kawamura (California Department of Food and Agriculture), Caroline Beteta
(California Travel and Tourism Commission), Susanne Stirling, CalChamber.

After touring the U.S. pavilion, the CalChamber delegation split and went to the United Kingdom or Danish pavilions. The Danish pavilion featured the Little Mermaid Statue, on loan from Copenhagen.

The UK Pavilion featured a structure covered by silicon tubes. The inner portion of the exhibit had the ends of each of the tubes containing a seed species. This pavilion represented the seed project, an ongoing experience in the UK.

The group then loaded on the bus and took a driving tour of the Expo. Many of the pavilions were very impressive and represented the ingenuity of the individual countries.

Finally, the CalChamber delegation visited the China pavilion. This massive structure was built to be a permanent museum, dedicated to preserving the Chinese culture. There were many exhibits within the pavilion, representing all of the regions of China.

Abby Browning, CalChamber, in front of China Pavilion

Exhibit in China Pavilion

Exhibit in China Pavilion

After visiting the World Expo, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a stop at Marvell Semiconductor to tour its Shanghai facilities. Marvell was represented on the business delegation by Dr. Sehat Sutardja and Ms. Weili Dai, co-founders of the company. Marvell Semiconductor’s headquarters are in Santa Clara, California.

Gov. Schwarzenegger with Weili Dai (left) of Marvell Semiconductor
Photo by Peter Grigsby, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Later that evening, the CalChamber delegation traveled by bus to Xintiandi. These restored traditional shikumen houses on narrow alleys have become a world famous urban entertainment district of Shanghai. They also house the site of the First Conference of the Communist Party of China.

Vincent Lo, Chairman of Shui On Land, hosted the Governor and the California delegation for a reception at his clubhouse in Shanghai, locaed at One Xintiandi. The CalChamber delegation had a lovely dinner in the Xintiandi district and enjoyed a leisurely stroll back to the hotel on the bund.

Day Four, Monday, September 13

Before leaving Shanghai, the CalChamber delegates joined the Bay Area Council for the opening of the Century of the Pacific Grand Ceremony. Governor Schwarzenegger delivered remarks on California – China trade and innovation between the two economies. The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (President Brenda Foster) co-hosted this event.

Margaret Wong, McWong International (center) and Susanne Stirling, CalChamber (far right)
meet with colleagues in Shanghai.

The CalChamber delegation headed to Shanghai’s Hangqiao Airport for departure.

Tokyo, Japan – Day Four, Monday, September 13 (continued)

From Shanghai to Tokyo, the CalChamber delegation flew with Japan Airlines. After checking into the Park Hyatt, the delegates quickly headed to the U.S. Ambassador’s residence for a reception. The California Chamber of Commerce hosted this reception featuring Ambassador John Roos and Governor Schwarzenegger. It was held at the Ambassador’s residence, a historic building that has been home to 16 U.S. Ambassador’s to Japan, including General MacArthur.

Susanne Stirling, CalChamber, introducing the Ambassador and the Governor.

Governor Schwarzenegger greeting Ambassador Roos
Photo by Peter Grigsby, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Rusty Gregory (Mammoth Mountain), Caroline Beteta (California Travel and Tourism Commission),
Susanne Stirling (CalChamber), Ambassador Roos, Secretary A.G. Kawamura (California Department of Food and Agriculture).

Day Five, Tuesday, September 14

The CalChamber delegation attended the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan breakfast, featuring Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a speaker. The breakfast was held at the Keio Plaza and featured a conversation between the Governor and Mr. Barry Bergmann, Director of Sales with United Airlines – Japan.

Governor Schwarzenegger with Barry Bergmann, United Airlines

Governor Schwarzenegger and Barry Bergmann enjoying a laugh
Photo by Peter Grigsby, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Following this breakfast, the Governor announced that a key APEC 2011 meeting will be held in San Francisco.
See Also: www.calchamber.com/APEC

Having some free time, the CalChamber delegation visited the Meiji Shinto Shrine in the middle of Tokyo. Dedicated to nature, this was a lovely and much-needed walk through the park and a breath of fresh air.

Wine barrel paintings

Hand cleansing station at Shrine Entrance

Main entrance to the Shrine

Seoul, South Korea – Day Five, Tuesday, September 14 (continued)

The CalChamber business delegation flew from Tokyo to Seoul on Korean Airlines.After arriving at the Grand Hyatt, the delegation loaded onto the bus once more to attend the U.S. Ambassador’s reception. Because the weather was so nice in Korea, the reception, hosted by U.S. Ambassador Kathleen Stephens, was held outside at the residence.Here we were greeted by several friendly faces, such as members of the U.S. military stationed in Korea and Ambassadors fromallied countries.

Ambassador Stephens with Governor Schwarzenegger
Photo by Peter Grigsby, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Day Six, Wednesday, September 15

On the final day of the trade mission, the CalChamber business delegation headed to the GrandHilton for a breakfast hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea with an introduction by Amy Jackson, President and CEO;David Ruch, Chair; the Korean Trade Minister; and then GovernorSchwarzenegger spoke at this event.The topic was the U.S.-Korea FreeTrade Agreement. Both partiesstressed the importance of trade between the two economies and the many benefits to be gained by U.S. Congressional passage of this free trade agreement. See Also: www.calchamber.com/Korea

Governor Schwarzenegger and the Korean Trade Minister listen to a speaker at the AmCham Korea Breakfast
Photo by Peter Grigsby, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

After the breakfast, the delegationwas invited to attend a Special Olympics announcement with Governor Schwarzenegger.Pyeongchang, Korea will be the host site for the 2013 Special Olympics winter games. The delegationreceived information on this upcoming event and enjoyed entertainment by a young taiko (drum) group.

Performers at the Special Olympics announcement

The CalChamber delegation made its way across town to join the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in a MOU Signing ceremony.The event, co-hosted by the California Travel and Tourism Commission and the California Food and Agriculture Export Promotionwas entitled “Tastesand Sounds of California.” It featured exhibits of many of California’s fine products from agriculture, tourism and, of course, wine.

California agriculture delegation at one of the tasting stations

Later that afternoon, the CalChamber delegation joined Governor Schwarzenegger on abrief ride onKorea’s high speed rail lines.

KTX at Seoul Station

KTX at Seoul Station


Susanne Stirling (CalChamber) and Ismael Ghalimi (Intalio)

Governor Schwarzenegger then left the group to meet with President Lee of Korea.After his meeting, the Governor spoke to theU.S. troops stationed in Korea on his way back toCalifornia.

The CalChamberhosted a farewell dinner for all of the business delegates and the government delegationon the hotel balcony overlooking Seoul.It was a wonderful dinner with great food, great California wine, and great conversation.