Mayor back from China
The Advocate
April 21, 2009
Fresh off his trip to China, Mayor-President Kip Holden said Monday the country is a “gold mine” for future cultural exchange efforts and economic development.“That place is an untapped natural resource,” Holden said.
At a time when most counties are reeling from the global recession, China’s economy is still booming.
As an example, he pointed to an editorial titled, “Time to Buy U.S. Houses?” in the April 11 edition of China Daily, the country’s national English-language newspaper.
“U.S. developers may need to let their Chinese customers know how deep the water is and have some special policies to make things easier for Chinese to invest,” the editorial said.
Holden said during the trip he had some preliminary discussions about financing the proposed $4 billion loop around Baton Rouge.Holden also returned from his trip with tentative agreements from two Chinese companies that want to invest in Baton Rouge.
Broad Air Conditioning, China’s largest air-conditioning systems manufacturer, has agreed to fly two city-parish employees to China to learn about its new “green” or environmentally friendly technology.
In addition, Holden said Huiheng Medical Group has also tentatively agreed to look at bringing a new tool to fight cancer to Baton Rouge.The company’s gamma ray whole-body system delivers rotating radiation through a round steel tube that surrounds the cancer patient. The process delivers stronger dosages of radiation than traditional radiation that treats patients at one point.
Throughout his visit to China, Holden said he was greeted warmly, particularly by business interests.
Holden said he also talked to the state-supported Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Beijing about bringing a contingent of Chinese businesspeople to Baton Rouge in the near future.“Each year, they come to four or five cities in the United States, bringing an average of 200 to 300 Chinese businesspeople,” Holden said.
The Chamber of Commerce expressed an interest in trying to send a smaller contingent to Baton Rouge later this year, he said.
The mayor said the Chinese are also considering sending representatives to the Red Stick Animation Festival in Baton Rouge next year.
Holden did not travel to China at taxpayer expense, but used political contributions to fund the $16,500 trip.
The mayor said he’s hoping to travel to China at least once per year in the future, and has tentative commitments from several Chinese leaders to visit Baton Rouge.
In addition to business opportunities, the mayor said there are prospects for cultural and educational programs.
Holden said he initiated talks with five cities, including Beijing, to make them sister cities with Baton Rouge.
There was also talk about cultural exchange programs involving LSU, Southern University and Baton Rouge Community College, along with several Chinese colleges and universities, Holden said.
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