Governor Lingle in China

• Read a transcript and watch a video of the Governor discussing highlights of her trip.

STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL TIES

Building on the relationships between Hawai`i and its sister provinces in China, Governor Lina Lingle explored new opportunities for partnerships and continued close ties with Hawai`i's Asia-Pacific neighbors.

On Wednesday, Governor Lingle, DBEDT Director Ted Liu and leaders of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i met with Governor Huang Huahua of Guangdong Province to discuss strengthening partnerships between Hawai`i and Guangdong in the areas of economic development, tourism, and clean energy, as well as cultural and educational exchanges.

The two governors met in Guangzhou in June 2005 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hawai`i-Guangdong sister-state/province agreement and to sign a reaffirmation agreement. They also met later that year, when Governor Huang led a delegation to Hawai`i.

Governor Huang hosted Governor Lingle and other leaders in Guangdong for a full-day conference in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Guangdong Province’s sister-state/city/province relationships.

With the theme, "Create a Better Future Through Cooperation & Exchange," the summit strengthened friendly cooperation and widened scopes of cooperation between Guangdong and its sister provinces.

Signing ceremonies of new sister province agreements and memorandums of friendly exchanges were held between Guangdong and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Guayas, Ecuador; and Bangkok, Thailand, as well as exisiting sister provinces: Mendoza, Argentina; Damascus, Syria; Sverdlovck Region, Russia; and Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea.

Earlier this week, Governor Lingle, state officials and Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i leaders met with Hainan Province Governor Luo Baoming.

Governor Lingle was the first Hawai`i governor to visit Hainan.

Governor Luo brought with him members of his cabinet responsible for the province's tourism, commercial, energy and agricultural sectors to discuss strengthening partnerships in the areas of economic development, tourism and clean energy, as well as cultural and educational exchanges.

Governor Luo also reaffirmed the importance of Hainan's relationship with Hawai`i and expressed his support for increased commercial, trade, tourism and education and cultural exchange with Hawai`i.

Hainan Airlines Chairman and Founder Chen Feng was present at this important meeting, during which Governor Luo encouraged Chairman Chen to initiate direct flights as soon as possible.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Hawai`i and Hainan to cooperate in the development of clean and renewable energy, energy security and in the reduction of emissions.

During the Governor's first week in China, she met with Madam Li Xiaolin, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).

The Governor and Madam Li discussed the importance of developing relationships between countries, as well as the possibility of exchange programs for students from the United States and China.

CLEAN ENERGY

As the State of Hawai`i continues to distinguish itself as a world leader in clean energy, Governor Lingle met with clean energy leaders in China to exchange ideas on partnerships in renewable energy development and energy efficiency.

On Monday, Governor Lingle, DBEDT Director Ted Liu, Office of Planning Executive Director Abbey Mayer and leaders of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce met with Hainan National Development and Reform Commission members.

Governor Lingle met with Hainan Governor Luo Baoming and members of his Cabinet responsible for the province's tourism, commercial, energy and agricultural sectors. The governors discussed their common goals in the achievement of a clean energy future and signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in the development of clean and renewable energy, energy security and in the reduction of emissions.

Governor Lingle also met with Hainan Vice Governor Li Guoliang, who led a Hainan delegation to the Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Summit held in Honolulu in September of this year.  Vice Governor Li agreed that Hainan will organize increased Chinese participation in next year's summit in Hawai`i.

The Governor and Vice Governor Li discussed clean energy partnerships and investments between Hawai`i and Hainan, including Hawai`i/Hainan wind, solar and biomass projects.

During the Governor's first week in China, she met with Chairman Xu Kuangdi of the China Academy of Engineering and clean energy leader Zhou Fengqi.

The meeting included officials of China's National Development and Reform Commission, which has broad administrative and planning control over the Chinese economy, including formulating policies for economic and social development, restructuring China's economic system and guiding private investment.

While in Hong Kong, Governor Lingle participated in discussions with Secretary for the Environment Edward Yao.  Secretary Yao is responsible for Hong Kong's clean energy portfolio.

Governor Lingle and Secretary Yao spoke of a potential link between Hawai`i and Hong Kong as mutual "test-beds" for the integration of renewable energy and achievement of high levels of energy efficiency.

ENCOURAGING TRAVEL TO HAWAI`I

As part of the Administration's focus on maximizing opportunities for Chinese tourists to travel to Hawai`i, Governor Lingle met with key China travel leaders this week.

On Tuesday, Governor Lingle visited the resort city of Sanya on Hainan Island, where she, DBEDT Director Ted Liu, Office of Planning Executive Director Abbey Mayer and leaders of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i met with Mr. Wang Yong, mayor of Sanya to discuss Hawai`i-Sanya tourism partnerships as well as increasing two-way travel between Hawai`i and China.

Earlier this week, Governor Lingle, DBEDT Director Ted Liu; Office of Planning Executive Director Abbey Mayer; and Tina Yao, of Hawai`i Tourism China met with Mr. Chen Feng, founder and chairman of the board of Hainan Airlines and Vice President Chen Ming to discuss the first scheduled nonstop airline service between China and Hawai`i, which is expected to start next year.

Chen shared that Governor Lingle's trip was critical in expressing Hawai`i's support for Hainan Airlines' direct flights to Honolulu and said the airline is currently planning to fly two flights per week.

Governor Lingle advised Chairman Chen of her several recent meetings regarding the direct air service, including one with U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman, and discussed the need to significantly increase Hawai`i's visitor industry marketing in China and the training of the Chinese salesforce selling Hawai`i packages.

On the Governor's first day in China, she met with Ambassador Huntsman to continue discussions they had in Honolulu in August to ensure that obtaining a U.S. travel visa will not be an obstacle to traveling to Hawai`i or the rest of the United States.

Ambassador Huntsman confirmed that U.S. consular offices throughout China offer scheduled appointments and set aside specific times to process group leisure travel visa applications.  To facilitate last-minute travel, which is especially important for Chinese travelers who want to participate in a conference or event in Hawai`i, the embassy also offers a last-minute visa application process.

During meetings in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong in her first week in China, Governor Lingle led discussions with key Chinese and U.S. officials centered on two critical areas – expediting the application process for Chinese visitors traveling to the U.S. and preparing for the first nonstop scheduled airline service from China to Hawai`i.

Governor Lingle met with Mr. Shao Qiwei, chairman of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) to build on the progress made since Hawai`i and CNTA formed a cooperative agreement to increase two-way travel between Hawai`i and China in 2005.

While in Hong Kong, Governor Lingle met with Commerce and Economic Development Secretary Rita Lau.  As part of her focus on Hong Kong’s economy, the secretary is also responsible for the tourism portfolio.

In Shanghai, Governor Lingle met with travel industry media representatives and business leaders and shared that travel to Hawai`i is a perfect complement to the intense and rapid-paced lifestyle of Shanghai and other urban Chinese cities.

To conclude the week's activities, Governor Lingle, Ted Liu, Abbey Mayer and leaders of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i met with Mr. Wang Yong, mayor of Sanya to discuss Hawai`i-Sanya tourism partnerships.

HAWAI`I EXPORTS

Throughout Governor Lingle's travel in China, Hawai`i products and services were at the heart of discussions with key business leaders to expand trade opportunities between Hawai`i and China.

This week, Governor Lingle, DBEDT Director Ted Liu and Office of Planning Executive Director Abbey Mayer attended an event hosted by Mr. Hugo Xiong, global executive vice president of IDG Venture Capital, a global network of venture capital funds.

In addition, the Governor led a meeting between the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the leading Chinese foreign trade promotion agency in China, to discuss expanding trade and commercial activity between Hawai`i and Hainan Province.

Dennis Hwang, president of the Chinese Chamber, joined with the Administration in proposing increased product exports between Hawai`i and Hainan, including agricultural products; selling Hawai`i's professional services in engineering, architectural and design, and energy, environmental protection and disaster planning; student exchange at high school and university levels; and increased cultural exchange, including Hainan participation in the chamber's annual Splendor of China cultural festival and trade show.

Hawai`i House

During her first week in China, Governor Lingle met with the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) office of China Import Product Solicitation and Promotion System to discuss the 'Hawai`i House' program MOFCOM is launching to promote Hawai`i products to Chinese consumers.

The ministry recognizes that small and medium foreign businesses have barriers to their products and services entering the China market. In order to achieve better trade balance with countries such as the United States, the ministry is launching a foreign products and services showroom and distribution center, the first one scheduled to open in Shanghai. The center would be developed and operated at no cost to the foreign companies selling into the China market.

The ministry is very interested in Hawai`i products and services, as it believes Hawai`i has a unique consumer brand. Governor Lingle learned in detail the plans for these centers and agreed to work closely with the ministry to capitalize on this opportunity for Hawai`i companies.

• "Chinese Chamber working to broaden isle-China ties," by Dennis Hwang, president, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, November 10, 2009