WSCRC

Washington State China Relations Council

Connell appointed to Board of Directors of the Washington State China Relations Council

View original press release on EDASC website.

The Washington State China Relations Council appointed Sean Connell, EDASC Director of Business Development and Global Competitiveness, to its Board of Directors on February 8.  The Council, which was founded in 1979 following the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, is the oldest nongovernmental organization advocating at the state level for increased trade connections with China.  The Council’s staff and board of directors regularly advise leaders from business, government and civic sectors on issues related to China, and the organization plays a central role in the attraction of direct investment from China into Washington State.

 

Mr. Connell has worked closely with the Washington State China Relations Council since 2014 to foster economic connections between Skagit County and Northwestern Washington State communities and China.  Since July 2016 he has chaired the Council’s Government Affairs Committee, and during 2017 supported the Council in launching its Policy Briefing Series, which engages leading subject-matter experts from government, industry, law, and technology communities to provide in-depth insights on current key issues in U.S.-China-Washington State relations.  Additionally, he worked with the Council and Washington State University Skagit County Extension last fall to launch the Skagit County China Briefing Series, an ongoing series of workshops for regional audiences to introduce the fundamentals of doing business in China and key issues in the Washington State-China relationship.

 

“As a nationally-recognized Asia expert and director of business development and global competitiveness for the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, Sean Connell’s appointment as a new board director of the Washington State China Relations Council will expand collaboration between Skagit County and the Council in raising awareness of China and Asia-focused trade policy in Washington state,” stated WSCRC President Mercy Kuo.

 

EDASC CEO John Sternlicht noted, “Mr. Connell’s appointment not only allows the statewide group to take advantage of his Asia expertise, but also helps elevate Skagit County to potentially garner more attention for foreign direct investment.”

 

The Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) serves as Skagit County, Washington’s economic development organization, working to improve and diversify the economy for greater prosperity for all businesses and residents. Through its programs targeting business recruitment, retention and expansion, EDASC seeks to foster an advantageous environment for all sectors of Skagit County to prosper. Learn more on our website.

 

The Washington State China Relations Council is the nation’s oldest statewide organization dedicated to promoting stronger commercial, educational, and cultural engagement with China. The WSCRC has actively worked for over 40 years and their membership is comprised of over 100 companies, financial institutions, ports, municipal governments, institutions of higher education, and cultural organizations.

Washington State Investment Insights: China and the World

On January 29, 2018, the WSCRC launched the Corporate Executive Briefing Series, a new series of conversations which aims to provide a unique venue in which Washington business owners and executives can substantively increase their knowledge of commercial engagement with and in China.

Allison Clark, Managing Director of Business Development at the Washington State Department of Commerce, joined WSCRC to offer insights into the investment landscape of Washington in this inaugural session of the series. At the Washington State Department of Commerce, Allison heads a team that specializes in attracting investment to the state. During her term she has witnessed a massive increase in foreign investment in the region, particularly from China.

With its “ravenous consumption culture,” intellectual property protection laws, and reputation for market certainty and consistency, the U.S. is the world’s most attractive consumer market and has the highest confidence index for FDI. Allison outlined the multifarious factors which give Washington an edge in the race to attract investment, which include a growth-oriented culture, an educated workforce, low-cost power, and a pro-business environment.  Additionally, Washington houses major clusters of technology industries while Seattle is increasingly a global hub for exports, boasting the West Coast’s fastest shipping lines to Asia.

Allison further discussed tactics employed by the Department of Commerce to foster interest in the region and confirm investment deals for Washington companies and enterprises. “From an economic standpoint, it’s a very good strategy to grow what you already have,” she pointed out, “cultivating inbound investment becomes an economic tool for us.” Allison’s team proactively locates leads on potential investment projects which could lead to job creation in the state, as evidenced in several recent cases where the department has facilitated closures on large foreign investments.

Entities represented at the Corporate Executive Briefing Series included the Washington Technology University, Old Republic Title, Port of Seattle, Greenfield Advisors, and Mercer Island Telecom, among others. Special thanks to K&L Gates for providing the venue for this event.

Summary Author: Trudy Boothman

 

 

Healthcare in China: Challenges and Opportunities

On December 6, 2017, the Washington State China Relations Council convened the Brown Bag Briefing Series with an informative presentation from Jing Dipiero on, “Healthcare in China: Challenges and Opportunities” in Seattle, WA. Jing, a WSCRC Silver Member, is the founder and CEO of DPR Consulting, a firm which provides comprehensive healthcare solutions to individuals, physicians, hospitals and local governments with a special focus on China.

Having been born and raised in Beijing before relocating her career to the US, Jing has acquired an uncommon depth of understanding and keen ability to navigate within the two systems.  She expertly guided the audience through a history of healthcare in China, citing various challenges and reform efforts that have shaped the present structure. Life expectancy has increased steadily, infant mortality has decreased drastically, and access to health services has broadened significantly.

However, Ms. Dipiero’s analysis of healthcare in China compared to the US revealed that the system remains rife with challenges. As per capita income of the Chinese population rises, many patients are seeking higher quality healthcare options, as exemplified in recent upsurge of “medical tourism.” Opportunities for medical professionals, investors and technologists abound throughout the country.

Jing outlined Chinese government plans to enhance the quality of care in clinics, to provide insurance and a family physician for 100% of the population, and to curb individual expenditures. Ms. Dipiero pointed out that each of these objectives will need the support of various medical industries, and explained how a knowledgeable consulting partner such as DPR can assist in navigating the unfamiliar policy landscape of Chinese healthcare to increase efficiency and generate maximum impact.

Over 25 representatives from DPR Consulting, Swedish Hospital, Wyzlink, Oncology Edge Consulting, Seattle Chinese Garden and Seattle-Chongqing Sister City Association, CREATe, SEngine Precision Medicine, Inc., Harris Bricken PLLC, Attune Healthcare Partners, Oregon China Sister State Relation Council and North America China Council attended this briefing.

Summary Author: Trudy Boothman

Skagit County China Seminar Series — Introduction to China: Key Issues in U.S.-China-Washington State Relations

On November 3, 2017, the Washington State China Relations Council launched the Skagit County China Seminar series at the Washington State University Skagit Extension in Burlington, Washington. Marc Berger, director of China Practice for Nyhus Communications, addressed key issues in US-China relations.

Through over a decade of direct engagement with China, including five years with the National Committee on US-China Relations, Marc Berger has developed a keen understanding of the “rich and multifaceted layers of the bilateral relationship we have today.” Marc outlined three key elements that define the relationship at the current juncture. He identified the first factor as the current Chinese leadership, which seeks to elevate its prominence on the global stage through military strength, centralized decision-making, and a wave of soft power campaigns.

Second is the Trump administration, which up to this point has remained “uncoordinated” in its approach to China relations. Berger noted that many key mid-level State Department positions which require Senate approval have yet to be confirmed, leaving the department understaffed and unable to strategize effectively.

Marc then shifted focused on to Washington State-China relations, citing the large number of jobs within the state linked to foreign export. Chinese companies are investing in the United States and globalizing their brands, prompting Berger to recommend that Washington, “create thoughtful, targeted strategies to attract investment.”  Berger is confident that with patience, commitment, and a clearly defined agenda, Washington state has the power to become a trusted and preferred trade partner for China.

Representatives from Skagit County’s key sectors including government, economic development, agri-business consulting, and farming attended this inaugural session of the seminar series.

Special thanks to Sean Connell of the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County and WSCRC Government Affairs Committee chair for facilitating Q&A and to Don McMoran of WSU Skagit Extension for collaboration on this series.

The Skagit County China Seminar is an ongoing series of workshops for the Skagit County and northwest Washington business communities and broader regional audiences to introduce the fundamentals of doing business in China and key issues in the Washington State-China relationship. The Skagit County China Seminar Series is slated to resume in February 2018.

Summary author: Trudy Boothman

Pacific Northwest and National Commercial Real Estate Trends: The China Factor

On November 8, 2017, the Washington State China Relations Council and Gold Member Kidder Mathews convened a panel of real estate experts for a conversation on, “Pacific Northwest and National Real Estate Trends: the China Factor.” Speakers included Holly Yang, Head of Seattle China Services for Kidder Mathews in Seattle, Vik Bangia, founder of Verum Consulting, and Glen Gioseffi, Debt Equity and Finance expert with Kidder Mathews. Brian Hatcher, Executive Vice President of Brokerage for Kidder Mathews, moderated this event at The Bravern Signature Residences in Bellevue, Washington.

Brian Hatcher launched the discussion with a 2017 commercial real estate market update for the Seattle and Bellevue areas. A comprehensive analysis of growth rates in commercial real estate indicates that continued and sustained growth can be expected, as exemplified by the pre-leasing of 50% of the office space currently under construction in Seattle and the 67% pre-lease rate in Bellevue.

Holly Yang expounded on financing options for Chinese investors, including the EB-5 immigrant investor program. She discussed the excessive wait time now associated with the popular EB-5 investment program and Chinese capital controls on outgoing real estate investment funds. Holly concluded that despite the Chinese government’s strong hand in directing capital, funds continue to flow to the US, which is viewed as a “safe haven” for investment money. Glen Gioseffi, who has funded over one billion dollars in commercial debt, contributed his knowledge of the necessity of debt financing to enable growth.

Vik Bangia shared findings from his research into the characteristics of the Millennial employees, a demographic which is occupying commercial space at an increased rate. Vik explained how this demographic tends to prize clarity, flexibility, satisfaction, and significance in the workplace, and how these values can be reflected even in a company’s commercial space. For example, the ratio of square foot to person has dropped in recent years from 200 square feet per employee to a mere 48 square feet per person.

The wide-ranging and extensive knowledge of the panelists created a superb venue for audience members to submit varied queries into the complexities of regional and national real estate trends. More than 60 representatives from the commercial and residential real estate, investment, banking, and legal communities attended this standing-room only event and exclusive networking reception.

Special thanks to Kidder Mathews for convening the panel and co-hosting with WSCRC, and to The Bravern Signature Residences for providing the outstanding venue.

Summary author: Trudy Boothman

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