China Blog - 21st Century Relationships

This trip continues to establish new 21st Century relationships. Today we met with leaders from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce. We also met with the Ambassador who covers several African Countries, including Ghana. It was a fascinating day. With the Ambassador, I asked him to consider inviting members of the Delegation back when they next host the heads of state from Africa. They conduct this conference every 3 years (most recently in 2009). It last happened in 2006 just before the original China delegation from the LA Urban League arrived. Notably, our Los Angeles Urban League delegation was the first of its kind - a high level delegation of African Americans, and the precursor to this current trip. We were convinced then, as now, that some kind of three-way relationship could be enormously powerful. If we can convince them to involve us in this conference with African leaders in 2012, we can really move the needle in our relations with both the Chinese and African nations simultaneously. Africa and China have a longstanding relationship with billions of dollars in commerce exchanging hands each year. He agreed to take it under consideration.

The big push for us here is trying to get this shaped into something tangible and concrete. Today, we ate lunch in the "Stateroom" of the Foreign Affairs facility in Beijing, the same room where the Chinese hosted President Obama during his visit to China in November. We were reminded how the room was only utilized for very special guests of China, including Presidents and Kings of other countries. It was quite an incredible and regal room. I sat next to the minister of Foreign Affairs at lunch and had an opportunity to really try to push him toward considering a sweeping policy change - that is, making it an important requirement that their companies doing business in the US look first at urban communities (whether for a production facility, distribution center, etc). Unlike the US, in China the government can implement such a policy change for business with very strong compliance (given the government's very direct role in overseeing the economy). He agreed to take this back to their leadership. I think they are acknowledging the fundamental demographic shifts now underway in the US, and their corresponding need to have some relationships. This is important, as this relationship must be seen as "win win" for both sides. Tomorrow we're off to visit with the Minister of Education in the morning, and to see the Great Wall in the afternoon.