Chinese Delegates with Mel Ashland (2nd from left) and Representative Richardson (4th from left)

Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville  hosted the China Business and Education Conference on Saturday, June 4.

Co-Sponsored by Southern Oregon China Connection, Confucius Institute at Portland State University, Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc., Southern Oregon Visitors Association, and Ashland Partners and Company LLC.

Brooke Ashland, Representative Richardson & Mel Ashland

This conference represented a significant step toward deepening the business, tourism and educational relationships between southern Oregon and China! This was the business capstone of a four day visit by a delegation of officials, business executives, investors, educators and media from China, which included the Chinese Consul General and his top staff from San Francisco and top business people from Portland. They were invited by state legislators and the Oregon Fujian Sister State Association, Southern Oregon Chapter known as Southern Oregon China Connection (SOCC).

Conference at Bigham Knoll

In attendance were State Representative Dennis Richardson, Meiru Liu, Director, Confucius Institute, Portland State University,   Consul Tian Deyou, Economic and Commercial Consul, Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco,  Ron Fox, SOREDI, Steve Crowley, Director of Business Development, Erickson Air-Crane, Mr Zhao Yumin, the secretary-general of Tianjin Foreign Municipal Committee of Commerce. Also on the docket were Ms Zhang Zhihong, Chairwoman of Rongsheng Medicine Co.Ltd., and a Peking University graduate and EMBA degree holder, Mr. Sun Jianhua, Cultural Councilor, Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco,  Mr. Charlie Zhang General Manager of CYTS USA ( China’s 3rd tour agency in US),  Manager of Trina Solar( 3rd largest Solar panel manufacturer),  Consul Shao Wei, Educational Councilor, Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco,  Ms Qian Weirong, President of Tianjin Institute of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, and David Wick SOCC-OFSSA.

Matthew Patton of Cutler Investment Group, LLC gave the welcome on behalf of hosts, Mel & Brooke Ashland.

Chinese students perform a traditional Fan Dance

Guests were treated to a performance by 20 Students from Cathay Future Art School from Tianjin.

Students from Cathay Future Art School from Tianjin