ChinaFostering business and culturalInsight harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 15 NO. 10 Nov- Dec 2016 Chinese Consul General Hong Lei’s first visit to Minnesota since appointment By Greg Hugh China Briefs, p.3 recently. His schedule inclued diverse his thoughts and views on China-U.S. schedule of events: a luncheon with the relations and China’s foreign policy. business community, a meeting with the “The past predicts the future,” he noted. University of Minnesota President Eric “History tells us where the two countries Kaler, a reception with 70 Chinese visiting will go. The last 40 years have shown that scholars, a campus lecture primarily for China and the U.S. should continue to Chinese students and a dinner reception cooperate to build the partnership, or what at Mall of America. we often refer to as building a new model More than 250 students from China of major country relationship.” Food, p.7 currently attending the University and He questioned where Sino-U.S. other invited guests attended Hong’s relations should be headed 40 years later speech, “Let History be Guidance to and added that a reflection on the past Future: Jointly Building A New Type of should let us know what we do in the future. Major Country Relationship between Reflecting on the past, he noted that Hong Lei China and US is the Historic Trend,” was in 1979, China and the U.S. agreed to delivered in English at the University’s establish diplomatic relations, a historic Visiting Minnesota for the first time, Humphrey School of Public Affairs. His event of the greatest strategic significance Hong Lei, consul general of the Consulate topic was. for international relations in the latter half General of The People’s Republic of He stated it was his honor to have of the 20th century. Arts & Culture, pp.8, 12 China in Chicago, spent several days here the opportunity to share with the group continued on page 9 Business & Economics Data on Minnesota Exports for Second Quarter 2016 – Published September 2016 Second quarter state exports slide •State exports Figure 1. Exports of Goods Drop for Most States Community, p. 9 8 percent to $4.8 billion fell the most to •Minnesota exports, including agricul- Asia, decreasing tural, mining and manufactured products, by $204 million (or were valued at $4.8 billion in the second 12 percent) during quarter of 2016, representing a decline of this period. China 8 percent since the second quarter of 2015. (down 16 percent to This was slightly more than the 6 percent $506 million) and Ja- decline in U.S. exports over the same pe- pan (down 22 percent riod. The strong U.S. dollar continued to to $240 million) large- impact the competitiveness of, and demand ly contributed to this for, U.S. exports. trend. •Minnesota dropped to the 23rd-largest •Minnesota ex- Gov’t & Politics, pp.14-15 exporting state. State exports grew by 5 ports to North Amer- percent or more to three of the state’s top ica dropped 4 percent In This Issue 10 country markets, as well as to some (down $61 million) to additional smaller markets. $1.7 billion. Strong Decline 0% Growth MN: -8% Arts & Culture 6, 8, 12, 16 •Minnesota manufactured exports fell demand in Mexico (up U.S.: -6% Book review 11 about 9 percent to $4.5 billion in the second 5 percent) helped offset Business & Economics 1,4, 10 quarter of 2016, compared with a 6 percent weaker sales to Canada in Asia, South and Central America, and Community 1, 6, 9, 16 decline nationally. (down 8 percent). North America. Education 11 Encouraging gains in Africa, •Minnesota exports to Europe dropped Growth in cereals, chemicals, Events 16 despite significant declines to 8 percent to $1.1 billion. Exports to the metal products, despite other regions European Union (EU) accounted for about Food 7 •Minnesota sales performed the stron- 92 percent of these sales. EU sales declined widespread Decline Government & Politics 14 –15 gest in Africa (up 32 percent to $43 mil- 4 percent, with mixed trends across major Between the second quarters of 2015 History 5 lion). Gains were strongest to Ethiopia (up markets. Sales to markets outside the EU and 2016, exports of the top 10 product Letters to the Editor 2 2,553 percent to $8 million, from $312,000 fell 37 percent to $94 million, driven by the groups all declined. However some bright News 3 – 4 last year) and Morocco (up 148 percent to Ukraine (down 90 percent to $4 million, spots included cereals; chemicals and Pronouncements 2 $5 million). Wheat and vegetables drove primarily due to decreased machinery chemical products; some metal products, growth to Ethiopia, while food by-products sales). Science & Technology 13 fueled growth to Morocco. The state’s larg- •Nationally, exports increased 4 percent mineral fuel and oil products; and prepared Society 10 est African market is South Africa (ranked to non-EU markets but decreased to other meat, fish and seafood products. 40th, down 5 percent to $11 million). regions, with the largest declines to markets continued on page 4 PAGE 2 / Nov-Dec 2016 pronouncements chinainsight.info Publisher’s Pronouncements ChinaInsight Greetings, Publisher: As we enter the holiday season, China Day. This is the day we honor our military in January and invite you to submit any Gregory J. Hugh Insight wish to convey our best wishes for veterans and let them know that their service events or announcements you wish to [email protected] a great Thanksgiving holiday as we prepare to our country is deeply appreciated; so be publicize by Dec. to accommodate the for winter, the most challenging of seasons sure to let our folks in the military know holidays. This is especially important for for all of us residing in Minnesota. that we appreciate the sacrifices they make all organizations planning Chinese New Manager of Operations/ Unless you’ve been living in a cave for to keep our country free, which of course Year celebrations. Circulation: the past six months, you know Election Day include your right to vote in a completely As always, thank you for your continued Richard He will be Nov. 8, and while for many, it is a day democratic election. support of China Insight. Please feel free to [email protected] we all get to exercise our democratic right As noted on page one, the Chinese to complete and return the reader survey (p. to vote in a national presidential election, Consul General Hong Lei from Chicago 7) to let us know what you enjoyed reading many others will be happy it will be over recently visited the Twin Cities. His visit is and what other topics you would like us to Staff Writers: soon. According to all historic records, one of many he is planning since he hopes cover, or if there are any other ways we can Greg Hugh this presidential campaign has been one of to visit all nine states covered by his office better serve the community. [email protected] the most contentious and bitter campaigns within 90 days. Sincerely, in the history of the U.S. it should not deter Please note that this edition of China Elaine Dunn you from voting. This issue contains many Insight is a combined issue for November- Gregory J. Hugh [email protected] articles about how the U.S. election is December and that there will not be a perceived and covered by Americans and separate edition published for December. Chinese alike in Hong Kong and China. Thus, in addition to our best wishes for In addition to Thanksgiving, we also a great Thanksgiving holiday, all of us at President – CEO Contributors: celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. China Insight wish you a joyous, prosperous China Insight, Inc. Nicholas Gordon In other parts of the world, this day may be and healthy holiday season. [email protected] celebrated as Armistice or Remembrance We will resume our publishing schedule Patrick Welsh Letters to the Editor [email protected] Anyone but Clinton “Hillary is a woman. It’s a huge stride.” (Asian Americans fastest growing electorate, October China Insight) Really? Is that why HRC deserves women’s votes? What a crying shame if Asian American women such as Avanti Gupta waste their votes on someone because she’s “a woman,” someone, in this case, who totally lacks a moral compass, sincerity and ethics. I, too, am an Asian American woman and I strongly hope everyone will consider the immensely important Supreme Court justices Production Editor: the next president gets to appoint. Can you trust a (proven) power-hungry liar who risks our national security and destroys government Teresa Khamlusa documents after they had been subpoenaed, showing complete disregard for the law of the land, to that task? I don’t think so. [email protected] Call me deplorable, but I’m not stupid! Anyone But Clinton. Thanks to China Insight for covering a wide range of topics! Honorary: Jennifer Nordin, Editor Emertus Anne K [email protected] Minneapolis, MN Love range of coverage A friend of mine sent me this paper on the internet and I found it to have many interesting articles. If possible, I would enjoy receiving a free subscription. Thank you. About ChinaInsight ChinaInsight is a monthly English Marion L. language newspaper fostering business Stamford, CT and cultural harmony between China and the U.S. Please send letters intended to be published to The Editor, 750 Mainstreet, #230, Hopkins, MN 55343, or emailed to mail@chinainsight. ChinaInsight is a Member of The info.