Ivy Tech China Blog – Day 5 –May 15, 2008
Welcome to the Ivy Tech China Blog for the trade delegation from Northwest Indiana –
Day 5 was packed with important meetings as we met with the business leaders in the city of Shenyang, Liaoning Provence, China. The city, province & leaders rolled out the “red carpet” as we met with several businesses to review their operations in Shenyang. The City of Shenyang is divided into many distinct neighborhoods that depict the growing revitalization of this very large city of 3.5 million residents. The economic development strategy will rebuild many sections of the city that are old & in need of repair. The Chinese take a very fast-paced approach to this revitalization of their cities. Numerous technology parks are being developed at a very accelerated pace, as I mentioned in a previous post. Many of the “tech parks” start from farmland & complete the construction of the new business community within 2 to 3 years. (including schools, hospitals, homes and retail businesses for the use of the residents as employees)
The highlight of the day was a reception at a local hotel. The dinner was a traditional Chinese menu of beef, chicken, pork & numerous greens and seafood dishes such as jellyfish, scallops, shrimp, calamari and that is presented on a large round glass carousel. Many of the dinner tables are round in the Chinese restaurants to accommodate the 20 to 25 dishes of food. The Chinese culture feels this is the highlight of their day as they gather for dinner for at least 1½ hours each day.
At the conclusion of dinner we had a formal ceremony to sign an international friendship & cooperation agreement (see attached) with Liaoning Economy Occupational Technological College in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China, as the representative for the college. This agreement was signed by Liyi Ding, Vice President. Witnessing this agreement was Guang Yang, College President, Fuqiang Wang, General Manager Liaoning College, Gary Mayor Rudy Clay, Ross Horano, Jenny Guo and the 22 members of the Northwest Indiana Trade Delegation. The dinner sponsored by the Liaoning College included another 25 guests from their college. I met with Liaoning College earlier in the day & expressed an interest of Ivy Tech Community College to enter into an international agreement. Liaoning College has asked if we have the following: 1) an international student exchange program, 2) interest to have our students attend their college, 3) continued discussions & agreements about curriculum and transfer of credit, 4) ESL programs for Chinese speaking students, etc. Liaoning Economy Occupational Technological College has over 7000 students with an extensive building plan to increase the size of their college to approximately 11,000 students in 2 years. Today during the conference a collection was taken for the victims of the earthquake. We also observed a moment silence to honor the families that were stricken by this disaster in southern China.
I’ve included a picture from the signing and one from the seminar this morning. This week has been just great as each of the groups that we’ve met with are very excited to enter into agreements with the City of Gary & or businesses.
Tomorrow we travel to Fuxin, Liaoning Province to meet with their city officials & also discuss signing another international agreement with Liaoning Technical University in Fuxin. This university has approximately 28,000 students. As we’ll be traveling to Fuxin by bus this will enable to see the rolling hills & farmland of this large province in the northeastern area of China
Below is the itinerary for Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Day 5 – Thursday, May 15th
Morning Breakfast at Hotel
City of Gary Presentation
“Doing Business with Gary” – Mayor Rudy Clay
City of Gary Investment Opportunities Presentations
By Majestic Star Casino & Hotel & the New Gary Development Group
Meet with Liaoning Economic Opportunity Technological College
Lunch Vice Governor of Liaoning Province
Afternoon Meetings with Shenyang Business Leaders
Dinner Hosted by Government of Liaoning Province
Day 6 – Friday, May 16th
Morning Breakfast at Hotel
Depart for Fuxin by bus
Check into hotel: Fuxin Guest House
16 Zhonghou Road
Fuxin, Liaoning, CHINA
86 04 18 3898 8888
Lunch Vice Mayor of Fuxin
City of Gary Presentation
“Doing Business with Gary” – Mayor Rudy Clay
Afternoon Tour of Fuxin Economic Development Zone & meetings with Liaoning
Technical University
Dinner Hosted by Fuxin Economic Development Zone
City of Gary Investment Opportunities Presentations by
Majestic Star Casino & Hotel & New Gary Development Group
Day 7 – Saturday, May 17th
Morning Breakfast at Fuxin Guest House
Signing of Sister Cities Agreement –meeting with Liaoning Technical
University
Meetings with Fuxin Business Leaders
Lunch Hosted by City of Fuxin
Afternoon Depart for Shenyang
Check into hotel
Attached photos – # 1165 – New Technology Park Model – Shenyang, China
# 1180 – Economic Development Seminar – Shenyang, China
# 1210 – Signing the 1st International Agreement with Liyi Ding –Vice
President of Liaoning Economy Occupational Technilogical
College
