On August 8, 2018, WSCRC board members Jim Young, Kristi Heim, and Norwell Coquillard met with a business delegation from the city of Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province to introduce the mission of Washington State China Relations Council and to discuss opportunities for international economic collaboration. The delegation included representatives from a variety of industries, including energy, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and textiles.

Kristi Heim, Head of International Partnerships at BGI, detailed the longstanding history between Washington State and China. She elaborated upon WSCRC’s leading role in establishing economic and cultural ties through its work in facilitating delegations and making connections between businesses. In addition, she also encouraged delegates to work with Washington State brands such as Microsoft, Boeing, Costco, Amazon, and others.

Jim Young, Co-Managing Member and Founder at Century Law Firm, spoke about the opportunities for investment in Washington State, citing multiple examples from the real estate industry. He also reflected upon his own experiences as a Chinese-born attorney who came to Washington State for its international reputation and the process of building his business.

The delegation was impressed by the scope of the Council’s reach in Washington State, as well as with its purpose of fostering international ties between the US and China. After a round of introductions from each member of the delegation, the gathering commenced networking and exchanging information for future partnerships.

Summary Author: Mengyao Liu