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Surprising Harbin - Power of Woman
Did you know . . . that Harbin women felt happier than most
women in other cities in China, according to a Report on Chinese
Women's Life Quality in 2005 that was released yesterday in Beijing.
The report, based on a survey by the All-China Women's Federation's
Huakun Consumer Guidance Center, shows that 77.3 percent of married
women are the family decision makers when it comes to food,
clothing, and family matters.
Half of the surveyed women said they pooled their incomes with their
husband's to spend together, while only another 2 percent preferred
to give their money to their husband. Nearly 48 percent of the women
said they could spend their income as they pleased. Among those who
have already purchased houses, more than 30 percent of the woman
said the ownership was under their name. Among clothes, cosmetics,
exercise, books, communications, and traveling expenses, the first
two were the women's biggest consumption items. The survey also
found that women from North China felt happier than those from South
China.
According to an official from women's Federation, the survey is
conducted at the end of every year with the result released before
each subsequent year's Women's Festival.
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Dear Friends:
As I write this Jill is landing in China for yet another extended
stay. In the past year, we have more than doubled both the number of
trips to China, and the length of our stays. There are two reasons
for this.
First: There has been a significant increase in American business
interest in China among mid sized companies and investors. The
reality of China’s economic growth and the necessity to compete
globally is fueling the interest. One might say that the fear of
losing out competitively in the global economy has overcome the fear
of moving into the sometimes complex Chinese culture.
Second: The number of opportunities is growing exponentially in
China. The Chinese not only have more to offer, but they are
presenting projects in ways more comprehensible and acceptable to
potential American partners. Much of the credit for this is shared
by two activities. The Chinese central government is promoting
policies to encourage outreach by provincial and local governments.
(The large Heilongjiang and Harbin delegations coming here next week
is an example of this.)
Also, organizations, such as HBE, share some of the credit for
encouraging delegations visits both ways, and for keeping up a
steady stream of information and communication. This newsletter, our
website and seminars all serve this purpose.
You can read more about the Heilongjiang delegation below. In
addition to myself, HBE will be represented by our advisory board
leader, William Bricen Miller, new board member, Michael Hetzel and
our staff – Cyril Lim, Xiong Her and Sun Chang. Look for us, and
hope to see you then.
Have a productive week!
Larry P. Horist - HBE Chairman
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Trade and Investment in Heilongjiang Conference |
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Don't forget to sign up for the "Trade and Investment Opportunity in
Heilongjiang" Luncheon and Conference on March 7th at 11a.m., at the
Mid America Club. Heilongjiang has been granted preferential
policies by the Chinese government to boost trade in an effort to
revitalize the "rust belt" of China.
While HBE represents the city of Harbin, we are pleased to support
the visit of Vice Governor Wang Limin and his delegation. It is
expected that more than 50 business and government representatives
will be traveling with the group. The main activity will be a
luncheon and post- luncheon networking session arranged by our
friends at the International Visitors Center of Chicago.
You can make reservations by contacting IVCC’s Marian Reich at (312)
254-1800 x103.
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Culture and Entertainment Goes Free Market |
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China is liberalizing its entertainment and cultural sectors to
market forces in an effort to cut costs, according to the Party's
Central Committee. The government's "move to boost cultural
development" will require general art troupes, publishing houses,
newspapers and magazines on culture, art, life and popular science,
bookstores, movie studios, theaters and cultural organizations to
gradually restructure into market businesses. Only organizations,
which offer public cultural services, will continue to enjoy state
support. The Central Committee adds that the party will continue to
maintain control over the news media.
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China Turns Green |
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Heilongjiang Province will speed up its forestation program over the
next five years with the goal of having the province 47 percent
covered by forest by 2010. An official with the provincial forestry
bureau said Heilongjiang will continue to expand its forest belt
toward the western part of the province, which has been hit by
desertification and drought. It also plans to plant trees and
vegetation towards the north and east of the province. Subsidies
paid will also increase for farmers who actively participate in this
forestation program. Currently, Heilongjiang has 42.9 percent of its
land mass covered by forest, which is the highest rate in China.
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Merger News |
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Agronix, Inc. based in California has signed a binding letter of
intent to acquire 100% of the stock in Warner Nutraceutical
International Inc., a Delaware corporation that owns 100% of the
stock of Harbin Yingxia Business Co. ("Yingxia"). Yingxia is a
privately owned Chinese enterprise that engages in the development,
production, and sale of nutritional health products. These products
are sold within China and throughout Asia.
Brian Hauff, President of Agronix, commented, “The Yingxia
management and company are highly regarded in China as shown by
their selection as a national top ten agricultural enterprise in
2005. This will further help them become a bellwether in their
industry."
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Buongiorno - Ni Hao! |
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Year of Italy in China is a cultural extravaganza highlighting
Italian art, music and design. With visitors flocking to see
paintings by Michelangelo, Puccini arias soaring through the
Forbidden City and Versace and MaxMara models strutting down Beijing
runways, organizers of this event (sponsored by China-Italy Chamber
of Commerce) are selling a famous Italian export:
design.
"Though we're satisfied by our economic presence in China, we
realized we are lacking in image" said Gabriele Menegatti, the
Italian ambassador to China. “We hope to present today's Italy as a
continuing story of creativity and beauty, even in industrial
design."
With the increased wealth of the population in China, many view this
as an opportunity to increase the popularity of Italian products
among the middle class. According to David Cucino, Chairman of the
China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, this will be an opportunity to
further boost consumption of Italian products by white- collar
Chinese workers.
With a trading history that reaches back to the ancient silk trade,
hopes that the Italian year will foster a renewal of the Silk Road
remain high. "Four to five thousand years of culture link the two
countries," Menegatti said. "Europe is already the largest trading
partner of China. There is a growing awareness of what Italy has to
offer in terms of culture and investment. We're in a transition
period - the next period will have Chinese manufacturing and Italian
creativity."
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