C HINA Fostering business and culturalI harmonyNSIGHT between China and the U.S. VOL. 13 NO. 10 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 Chinese Heritage Foundation celebrates 10th anniversary By Greg Hugh The Chinese Heritage Foundation Then the formal part of the program CHF Friends and in collaboration with (CHF) held their 10th annual open began. CHF board member Margaret the San Francisco Opera Company - the Ifake, page 3 house this past October. While many Wong welcomed the gathering and commissioning of an English-language Minnesotans were soaking in an excep- provided a brief history and background opera based on the classic Chinese tionally spectacular fall day pursuing on the founding of the foundation (by novel, the “Dream of the Red Chamber.” other interests, loyal supporters of CHF Ming Tchou in 2004). Much of this Music will be by world-renowned Chi- filled the Party Room at the Gramercy background was reported in the October nese-American composer Bright Sheng, in Richfield to celebrate this memorable issue of China Insight. Wong was fol- who also will be a co-librettist with Tony milestone. lowed by another board member, Ken Award-winning Chinese-American As is the custom at most CHF so- Lau, who commented on “A Passage playwright David Henry Hwang. Ber- cial events, first on the agenda was for to China,” that has become a signature gad also announced that Stan Lai (cel- Mao and the mango, page 5 the gathering to enjoy the camaraderie event for CHF Friends, and introduced ebrated Taiwan-based Chinese language along with some appropriate snacks, representatives of several organizations playwright and director) has joined the which is the domain of CHF board creative team as stage director. Lai was who have been part of the event since member, Yin Simpson. In addition to recognized by the BBC as “The best its inception in 2008: Joan Brzezinski, planning and arranging the food, Simp- Chinese language playwright and direc- director of the China Center at the Uni- son also coordinated the decorations so tor in the world, and pretty prolific too.” versity at Minnesota; Sophia Liu from as to set a festive mood for the gathering This San Francisco Opera production is Minhua Chorus and Melody Zhou from scheduled to have its world premiere in CIAC Travel. Each spoke of their Pas- the fall of 2016. sage participation over the years. While the seeds for Dream were Thanksgiving in China, page 7 Next on the program was Lauren planted back in 2011, it wasn’t until the Moy, who performed a piece on the San Francisco Opera Company agreed guzheng. She has performed at Pas- to undertake the opera in 2013 when sage over the years either as a solo Ming Tchou donated $100,000 to get performer or with other organizations the project rolling, which resulted in such as CAAM. Sheng and Hwang getting on board. After their comments, Lau then in- Recently, CHFF has also received a troduced Pearl Bergad, CHF executive $50,000 pledge from Ben and Helen Ming Tchou (r), founder of CHF with director, who spoke about the most am- 4th plenary, page 12 young volunteer Summer Ahern. bitious project yet to be undertaken by Continues on page 4 Chinese Business Forum promotes Minnesota-China economic China champions, page 15 development By Greg Hugh In This Issue networking Session. It took place at the novation, Trade: Minnesota’s Spotlight University of Minnesota Carlson School On China” followed by Professor Art of Business, where the University’s Hill, Carlson School of Management, Pronouncements...2 China 100 story was also on display who introduced Mark Ritchie, Minne- Business............3 in the atrium. The networking session sota Secretary of State, who addressed, ended as the gathering was ushered into “Looking Ahead - Minnesota-China History...........4-5 the auditorium when the forum began. Business Connections In The Coming Education....6-7,15 Eric Gong, president of CABAM, Decade.” and Rodney Hiel, president of UCBC, After a short break, the forum contin- Food............8 welcomed the group as they provided ued as Joan Brzezinski, executive direc- Community.............9 background information on their respec- tor, China Center, introduced Luomei Books..............10 Mark Ritchie, Minnesota Secretary of State tive organizations and the agenda for Shu, commercial counselor from The the forum. They also stated that there Consulate General of the People’s Re- Government......12 On Nov. 1, the Chinese American would be no questions taken during the public of China in Chicago, who spoke People..........13 Business Association of Minnesota information-packed individual presenta- on “China’s Reform And Economy (CABAM) along with the U.S.-China tions, but questions could be texted for Benefit Our Business Cooperation With Politics.......14-15 Business Connections (UCBC) and follow-up and responses later on during the U.S. And Minnesota.” Travel............16 sponsored by the China Center at the the forum. Following this presentation was a University of Minnesota and the Min- Gong then introduced Kathleen Mot- panel discussion on public and private nesota Trade Office kicked off the zenbecker, director of the Minnesota Chinese Business Forum, with a busy Trade Office, who spoke on “Talent, In- Continues on page 10 PAGE 2 > NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 pronouncements www.chinainsight.info Publisher’s CHINAINSIGHT Publisher/Editor: Pronouncements Gregory J. Hugh [email protected] Greetings: her Fellowship with Teach for China. you wish to publicize. However, be- As we transition to the holiday Manager of Operations/ season, all of us at China Insight wish Her first articles appear on pg. 7 about cause of the holidays, we would need Circulation: to convey our best wishes for a great her experiences in China. these by Dec. 15, 2014. Richard He Thanksgiving holiday as we prepare The Confucius Institutes have re- As always, thank you for your con- [email protected] for the most challenging of seasons for cently encountered some controversy tinued support of China Insight. Please all of us residing in Minnesota…winter. as to concerns that they may threaten feel free to let us know if there are any Staff Writers: In addition to Thanksgiving occur- academic freedom. We have presented topics you would like us to cover or if Greg Hugh ring in November in the U.S., we also a commentary about this on page 6. there are any other ways we can better [email protected] celebrate Veterans Day, which occurs For those interested in doing busi- serve the community. Elaine Dunn every November 11. In other parts of ness in China, there is a special mem- [email protected] the world, it may be celebrated as Ar- bership offer from U.S.-China Business Sincerely, mistice or Remembrance Day. This is Connections on pg. 9. Contributors: the day we honor our military veterans Please note that this edition of China Madeline Christensen and let them know their service to our Insight is a combined issue for Novem- [email protected] country is deeply appreciated; so be sure ber-December and that there will not be Raymond Lum to let our folks in the military know that a separate edition published for Decem- Gregory J. Hugh [email protected] we appreciate the sacrifices they make ber 2014. Thus, in addition to our best Publisher-CEO to keep our country free. wishes for a great Thanksgiving, we Chang Wang We also are pleased to announce that also wish you a joyous, prosperous and [email protected] Madeline Christensen has joined our healthy holiday season. Patrick Welsh staff as our China correspondent and We will resume our publishing [email protected] will be contributing articles periodically schedule in January and invite you to about her experiences as she completes submit any events or announcements Webmaster: Will Ahern [email protected] Honorary: Jennifer Nordin, Editor Emeritus [email protected] About CHINAINSIGHT CHINAINSIGHT is a monthly English language newspaper fostering business and cultural harmony between China and the U.S. CHINAINSIGHT is a Member of The Minnesota Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). Submissions & Correspondence CHINAINSIGHT welcomes guest articles and letters to the editor. Correspondence should be addressed to: Editor, CHINAINSIGHT 750 Mainstreet, #230 Hopkins, MN 55343 Tel: 612-723-4872 [email protected] NSIGHT Letters to the editor become the CHINAINSIGHT I property of CHINAINSIGHT and may SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM be edited for length and published. 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Copyright 2014 CHINAINSIGHT, Inc. Title______________________________________ All Rights Reserved. business www.chinainsight.info NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 > PAGE 3 China’s top 10 business China Briefs elites under 40 The Chinese edition of the Septem- Selected newsworthy items ber Fortune magazine named the top 10 recently published in the business elites in China who are under Chinese press age 40. Most of them launched their company’s initial public offering in the U.S. in the first half of this year. Meet No. 5 Fu Sheng No ants in pants for Chinese the movers and shakers: Age: 36 Never underestimate the discomfort CEO of Cheetah Mobile Inc,, a Chinese will endure in trying to make a quick buck.