Governor to Promote Tourism, Clean Energy, Hawai`i Exports in China

"There are many issues that are before our state - both fiscal and economic issues - and all of these are critically important, but we can't sit by and muddle through these very difficult times and hope they all go okay. We need to move the ball forward on all fronts," the Governor said. "This is our opportunity to continue to cement relationships for the State of Hawai`i with one of the most important countries in the world and the largest market for products and services that exists on the planet."

During the trip, which lasts from October 30 - November 13, the Governor will visit six cities where Hawai`i has developed important economic interests:  Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Haikou and Sanya in Hainan Province and Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Beijing is the capitol and political and administrative center of China; Shanghai is the country's economic and business center; Hong Kong continues to be a leading global financial center and trading base; both Hainan and Guangdong Province are sister-states to Hawai`i.

China's Emerging Outbound Visitor Market – Opportunities for Hawai`i

A major part of the Governor's trip will be to ensure Hawai`i is prepared to maximize economic opportunities from China's emerging outbound tourism market. Over the past several years, the Lingle-Aiona Administration has focused on strengthening partnerships with the growing Chinese tourism industry as part of a strategic effort to diversify the geographic mix of visitors to Hawai`i. This is particularly important now, as Hawai‘i is expected to benefit from an increase in Chinese travelers due to recent developments, including the first scheduled direct air service between China and Hawai`i, which is expected to start early next year. The Governor will meet with officials from Hainan Airlines, which recently received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin the weekly service from Beijing to Honolulu.

Another major tourism-related issue that will be addressed during the trip is expediting the visa application and approval process for Chinese visitors to the United States. 

Hawai`i-China Clean Energy Partnerships

During her meeting with U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman, the Governor will expand on earlier conversations she had with him on the role Hawai‘i can play in fostering partnerships and investments, as the U.S. and China work toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels and developing clean, renewable energy alternatives.  She will also meet with key Chinese government and business leaders  to focus on opportunities for Hawai‘i in the area of clean energy development and environmental protection. 

Promoting Hawai`i Exports

In Beijing, the Governor will meet with the China Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the nation's top trade and economic development agency. In an attempt to narrow China's trade surplus with the U.S., the MOC is launching a program to promote American products to the Chinese consumer, especially the growing Chinese middle class. Governor Lingle will discuss the MOC's interest in launching a Hawai`i products showroom and trade center, fully funded and operated by the MOC, that will promote and distribute Hawai`i products in China.

In Shanghai, Governor Lingle will meet with the organizers of the Shanghai Expo, a six-month international exhibition to be held May to September of 2010. The organizers expect 70 million people to visit the Shanghai Expo, of which 67 million will be Chinese domestic visitors. Governor Lingle will explore utilizing the expo as a platform for promoting the export of Hawai`i products and services.

Strengthening International Partnerships in the Global Economy

The Hainan Province and Guangdong Province portions of the trip will focus on strengthening existing relationships with Hawai`i's historic sister-states in China. Sister-states are the internationally accepted formal basis upon which closer economic, business and cultural exchange between two foreign states are promoted.

At the invitation of Guangdong Province Governor Huang Huahua, Governor Lingle will travel to Guangzhou to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Guangdong Province’s sister relations program, where she will address foreign officials from Guangdong’s sister provinces/states.  She will also become the first governor from Hawai`i to visit Hainan Province, which has shared a sister-state/province relationship with Hawai`i since 1992.

Leaders from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i will join Governor Lingle in Hainan and Guangdong Provinces as partners in promoting business, trade and other economic and cultural exchanges between Hawai`i and China.

Governor Lingle's air travel expenses will be paid for with State funds. Accompanying the Governor will be Ted Liu, director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. His air fare will be funded by DBEDT. 

The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Hainan Provincial Government and Guangdong Provincial Government will pay for hotel accommodations and ground transportation in Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan and Guangzhou.  Expenses in Hong Kong will be paid for with personal funds.

"I'm excited for this trip because it highlights not just standing still and weathering tough times, but getting out there and laying a strong foundation for the future," the Governor said.

• "Lingle heads for China to push tourism, trade," Honolulu Advertiser, October 29, 2009
• "Lingle will promote state on tour in China," Honolulu Star-Bulletin, October 29, 2009
• Watch this important announcement.
• Read the news release.