GOVERNOR LINGLE’S CHINA-JAPAN TOURISM, TRADE, INVESTMENT MISSION

Investing in Hawai‘i

Governor Linda Lingle continues her efforts to promote Chinese investments in Hawai‘i. 

Today the Governor is in Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, where she will address Chinese business executives at the “Experience Hawai‘i – A Place for Vacation, Education and Business” forum sponsored by Bank of Hawai‘i.  Governor Lingle will also participate in an “Invest in Hawai‘i” seminar coordinated by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.  The seminar is designed to provide potential investors with information on Hawai‘i’s economic outlook and investment climate, as well as the “State’s EB-5 Immigrant Investment Program” in which foreign nationals who invest $500,000 or more in Hawai‘i and create 10 or more full-time jobs can obtain permanent residency. 

Yesterday, Governor Lingle addressed approximately 120 Chinese business people interested in this special visa waiver program people at the “Invest in Hawai‘i” seminar held in Shanghai.

Also yesterday, Governor Lingle spent her last day in Shanghai with key Chinese dignitaries, including Mr. Wei Jianguo, secretary general of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; Madame Gu Xiulian, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress of China; and Mr. Guy Tozzoli, founding president of the World Trade Center Association (WTCA) at a celebration for World Trade Centers Honor Day.

This is an annual event to recognize the important role international trade plays in bringing peaceful relationships between countries while improving the well-being of the people.  This year marked a historic growth in the building of world trade centers.  Recently six mid-size cities in China, ranging in population from 3 to 10 million people each, submitted applications to build and operate trade centers.  More than 250 individuals associated with the WTCA movement attended the Honor Day, held in conjunction with the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. 

Governor Lingle also visited the much-heralded China Pavilion at the Expo.  In addition to artifacts from ancient China and examples of modern technology improving Chinese life, the Expo features a 420-foot scroll of the ancient Chinese painting – River of Wisdom.  The painting is animated, bringing the characters to life to portray the cultural magnificence of the country.

The Governor toured the Israeli Pavilion as well, which included a 360-degree film showcasing the biomedical and technical inventions that have made Israel a world leader in science and engineering. 

Governor Lingle also met with the vice mayor of Shanghai, Mr. Tang Deng Jie. 

"As a former mayor I understand the challenges of managing a city and admire the manner in which Shanghai has coordinated the economic development and infrastructure construction for this city of nearly 20,000,000 inhabitants," Governor Lingle said to Vice Mayor Tang. 

Vice Mayor Tang pointed out that Shanghai faces ongoing challenges in the area of water pollution and energy and expressed appreciation for the invitation Governor Lingle extended to him to attend the 2010 Asia-Pacific Energy Summit and Expo that will take place August 30 – September 2 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu.  A key focus of this year’s Energy Summit will be on China’s renewable energy, investments and policies, including clean energy partnership opportunities between Hawai‘i and China.

Additional updates and photos of the Governor’s economic mission to China can be found on Governor Lingle’s website at www.hawaii.gov/gov.

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