The trend now is for high-level state visit delegations to
include entrepreneurs from private enterprise, who sometimes number
more than representatives from state-owned enterprises, according
to an official with the China Council for the Promotion of
International Trade (CCPIT).
The Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported on
April 11 that most of these private-enterprise representatives come
from Wenzhou and other cities in the areas of Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
The delegation led by Premier Wen Jiabao at the China-Pacific Island
Countries Economic Development Forum 2006 held in Fiji on April 5
and 6 included three Wenzhou entrepreneurs: Huang Jingjun, Ye Long
and Wu Lidian, all from Wenzhou.
Entrepreneurs who traveled with the delegation led by Vice
Premier Wu Yi to the United States earlier this month
included 202 entrepreneurs from 111 enterprises, 12 of which were
private enterprises based in Wenzhou, including the Zhengtai Group
Company, Delixi Group Company, and China Fangda Group Co. Ltd.
The practice of selecting key entrepreneurs from private
enterprise to participate in state-level visits started as early as
in December 2003. At that time, five Wenzhou representatives joined
a delegation led by Premier Wen Jiabao to Ethiopia to participate
in the China-African Forum and China-African Entrepreneur
Cooperative Conference.
According to the Wenzhou City Council for the Promotion of
International Trade, a comparatively large number of entrepreneurs
who travel as part of state leaders' entourages have been from
Zhejiang Province, with Wenzhou's entrepreneurs being the most
active.
"Traveling as part of a state-level delegation helps enlarge our
information channels and widen our field of vision," said Zhou
Jiaru, chairman of the board of directors of the Wenzhou Guansheng
Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., who was among the delegation led by
President Hu Jintao to the US and Canada last
September.
While in Canada, Zhou met with potential business partners from
five of Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturers.
"During the event organized by the Canada China Business
Council, I learned that Canadian companies are looking to cooperate
with Chinese partners," Zhou said.
CCPIT officials said that new channels of communication with
foreign companies are a major attraction for these
entrepreneurs.
Further, compared to state-owned enterprises, private
enterprises have more clearly established ownership. Coupled with
their ability to adapt to different markets and changing market
conditions, foreign partners find them easier to work
with.
Meanwhile, experts advise that entrepreneurs invited to join
state-level delegations should "do their homework" prior to
touring. They must have a sound understanding of the country
they're visiting, their potential partners, and the market that
they want to be involved in. Otherwise, the tours will be more
"symbolic" than "significant".
(China.org.cn by Li Jingrong, April 18, 2006)