HINA NSIGHT C Fostering business and culturalI harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 12 NO. 8 SEPTEMBER 2013 New Chinese Consul General of Chicago visits Minnesota By Greg Hugh, Staff Writer hao Weiping, newly appoint- hao Weiping, newly appoint- will send a group to Minnesota to assist ed Consul General for the ed Consul General for the in visa matters so those needing Chinese ZPeoples Republic of China in ZPeoples Republic of China in visa services will not need to travel to Chicago, visited with representatives Chicago, visited with representatives Chicago. The next time this service is of the Chinese community and Chi- of the Chinese community and Chi- available in Minnesota will be Oct. 12, nese newspapers in Minnesota in July. nese newspapers in Minnesota in July. 2013. Watch for details online at www. The meeting was organized by Vincent The meeting was organized by Vincent chinainsight.info. Mar, a board member of the Chinese Mar, a board member of the Chinese Although appointed in February American Association of Minnesota. American Association of Minnesota. 2013, Consul General Zhao had wanted Accompanying Consul General Zhao Accompanying Consul General Zhao to schedule his first visit to Minnesota Page 8 from the Chicago Consulate were Wang from the Chicago Consulate were Wang to include a visit with Governor Mark Yun - Consul of Cultural Affairs and Yun - Consul of Cultural Affairs and Dayton. Unfortunately, scheduling dif- Wang Ruibin - Consul of Political & Wang Ruibin - Consul of Political & ficulties meant he would have to accom- Press Affairs. Press Affairs. plish that on a return trip as he didn’t More than 20 leaders from different More than 20 leaders from different want to put off a trip to Minnesota any Chinese organizations attended the wel- Chinese organizations attended the wel- longer. Zhao stated that he was very im- come dinner held at Little Szechuan in come dinner held at Little Szechuan in pressed by the diversity of local Chinese St. Louis Park. During his introductory St. Louis Park. During his introductory organizations and the great services they remarks, Mar commented that the Con- remarks, Mar commented that the Con- Page 5 sulate was committed to continuing the Consul General continues on Chinese visa program and the Consulate Consul General Zhao Weiping Page 12 State exports flat in first quarter innesota exports, includ- Offsets Export Decline in Asia ing agricultural, mining Mand manufactured prod- • Minnesota exports increased to ucts, remained at US$4.9 billion and all regions, except for Asia. Between showed flat growth (although slightly the top two regions in the first quarter Page 7 up by US$17 million) between the first of 2013, Minnesota’s exports to North quarters of 2012 and 2013. The state’s America (US$1.7 billion) edged out top 10 markets accounted for 70 percent those to Asia (US$1.5 billion). Exports of state exports. A challenging global to North America grew 6 percent, large- economic environment resulted in state ly due to increased demand in Canada exports growing to only four of them. (up 8 percent to US$1.4 billion). State exports to Asia were down 11 percent, influenced by sharp losses across Japan, South Korea and India. • Overall sales to Europe performed well for Minnesota businesses, growing Page 14-15 6 percent to US$1.2 billion. In particu- lar, exports to European markets outside the European Union (EU) were up 29 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE percent to US$131 million, while those to the EU were up 4 percent to US$1 Pronouncements..................2 U.S. exports also showed flat growth billion. Technology........................3 during this period. Exports decreased for • State exports to Africa picked up Education...........................4-5 half of the states. steam, increasing 68 percent to US$68 Culture...............................6 For the manufacturing sector alone, million in the first quarter of 2013. Other Food....................................7 Minnesota manufactured exports were smaller regions also had notable growth: Major Products Provide Community...........................8 up 1.6 percent to US$4.5 billion in the exports to Central and South America Expanded Export Opportunities Sports..................................9 first quarter of 2013, higher than the increased 8 percent to US$239 million Books.........................10 U.S. growth rate of 1 percent. while those to the Australia-Pacific • The top 10 two-digit product Entrepreneurship..............11 region increased 4 percent to US$140 groups accounted for 74 percent of the Business.........................12 Export Growth in Most Regions million. state’s total exports of goods. Although Economy.........................13 Travel..........................14-15 Exports continues on Finance................................16 Page 3 PAGE 2 > SEPTEMBER 2013 pronouncements www.chinainsight.info Publisher’s Pronouncements CHINAINSIGHT Publisher/Editor: Greetings: Gregory J. Hugh After enjoying our annual summer hiatus, all of us at China Insight hope that your summer has been a fulfill- [email protected] ing one. We are pleased to reconnect with you again after taking the month of August off to recharge ourselves. During our summer break, the Twin Cities hosted a number of traditional events like the Dragon Festival and Manager of Operations/ the Aquatennial, along with other perennial favorites. The summer will close with the State Fair and Renaissance Circulation: Festival as many families prepare for a new school year. Richard He The summer also saw many visitors from China that included business, cultural and education delegations. [email protected] One of the largest Chinese student groups came from Loudi, Hunan Province, to visit its sister school in Eden Prairie. China Insight was pleased to assist in making the arrangements. See p. 5 for an article on the visit. On Marketing: the social scene, the Chinese Heritage Foundation held a celebration to pay tribute to its founder, Ming Tchou. Yin Simpson See article on p. 8. [email protected] While Minnesotans still await the arrival of Indian summer, Chinese Americans get to celebrate yet another holiday. The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Staff Writers: which is usually the first full moon in September. It is a harvest festival where wheat is traditionally harvested in the north, and rice in the south of China. It is the Chinese equivalent of American Thanksgiving, and one of the Greg Hugh [email protected] most important traditional events for the Chinese. See article on p. 6. As we resume our task of fostering business and cultural harmony between China and the U.S., we do so with Shilyn Chang a restructured, all-volunteer staff. Jenny Nordin, our faithful and loyal editor for almost 10 years, has decided to [email protected] “retire” and will be sorely missed by yours truly since she has diligently served as my valuable right-hand gal. She Elaine Dunn will be bestowed the title of editor, emeritus. Joining our volunteer staff is Yin Simpson, marketing representative. [email protected] We are also pleased to announce that Patrick Welsh has joined the staff as a contributing writer. Welsh’s first article and biography can be found on p. 13. We trust that you will find his articles informative. Anthony James We’re also happy Raymond Lum will continue to provide his book reviews. [email protected] Thank you for continuing to support China Insight. I also welcome any comments you have that will aid us in Jodi Yim James continuing to serve the community. [email protected] Sincerely, Contributors: Gregory J. Hugh Raymond Lum Gregory J. Hugh [email protected] Publisher Patrick Welsh [email protected] Honorary: Jennifer Nordin, Editor Emeritus 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 6520 South Bay Drive Minnetrista, MN 55331 Tel: 952-472-4757 By Anthony James Fax: 952 472-6665 [email protected] Letters to the editor become the property of CHINAINSIGHT and may be edited for length and published. Articles will not be CHINAINSIGHT INSIGHT published without the express consent of the author. 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