Governor Mike Pence completed his jobs and economic development mission to China today, visiting Indiana companies with China operations and hosting a reception in Shanghai for graduates of Indiana colleges and universities living in China.  

“As a state, Indiana remains committed to giving our students the tools they need to succeed in life through a world-class education,” said Pence. “By going out and making an impact at companies around the globe, the graduates I met tonight are showing the world the power of an Indiana education. To continue attracting global companies to locate and grow in the Hoosier State, business leaders need to look no further than the graduates of our world-class universities both abroad and the many more we have back home.”  

The reception attracted more than 100 alumni, including graduates from Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University, Butler University and Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis. Indiana University, Purdue University and Rose Hulman Institute of Technology have education partnerships with Zhejiang Province, Indiana’s sister state, while some of Indiana’s other higher education institutions have established exchange programs across China. This complements the more than 10,000 Chinese students who attend universities in all corners of the state.

Earlier in the day, the Governor led meetings with leaders of the Lilly China Research & Development Center in Shanghai. Indiana-headquartered Eli Lilly employs more than 41,000 people around the world, including 11,000 Hoosiers at high-wage jobs across Indiana. The Governor also visited China International Marine Container, the parent company of Monon, Indiana-based Vanguard National Trailer Corporation. Vanguard has grown to be White County’s largest employer, employing more than 500 Hoosiers.

“Indiana and China are stronger together,” said Pence. “In the years since our friendship formed, Hoosier students have gained a broader worldview through cultural exchanges. And as global understanding grows, so does economic growth. Today Chinese companies are creating great Hoosier jobs in all corners of our state, and Indiana-based companies are thriving globally. Through the relationships we’re forming on this trip, I’m confident that this is just the beginning of generations of growth to come.”  

Governor Mike Pence concluded business in Beijing today learning how Indiana-headquartered Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) is leading the way in innovation and production of clean technology at its Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Company.

“For Cummins, it starts in Indiana. Technology developed by Hoosiers in Columbus is powering Cummins engines built around the world, including here in China,” said Pence. “As Cummins grows and thrives in these markets, more high-wage jobs in engineering and R&D are created at home.”  

Established in 2008, the Beijing Foton-Cummins facility (BFCEC) produces the Cummins ISF light duty engine and ISG heavy duty engine, both meet tough emission standards while achieving a high degree of fuel efficiency. Even though the engine platforms are targeted primarily for Chinese markets, their cutting-edge technology is a result of the collaboration of a global team, including more than 100 U.S. engineers, many of whom are based in Columbus, Indiana. 

“We are thrilled  to show the Governor one of Cummins’  most successful joint ventures that delivers both economic and environmental benefits for our customers,” said Steve Chapman, vice president, China and Russia of Cummins. “As a truly global company, Cummins is well positioned to capture market opportunities in diverse geographic markets by leveraging strong engineering resources and rich market experiences from the U.S. and other places. This will not only fuel our growth in local market, but also creates value for our stakeholders in the U.S.” 

As the largest independent maker of diesel engines in the world, Columbus, Indiana-based Cummins is a global power leader  developing and advancing cutting-edge solutions and products that produce high quality, clean diesel engines for customers around the world. In Indiana alone, the Fortune 160 company has approximately 9,000 employees at multiple locations across the state that design, make and sell products found in a broad range of on and off highway vehicles.

The company’s ties to China date back to 1975 when then-CEO J. Irwin Miller led the company’s first delegation to Beijing. Today Cummins is recognized as the largest foreign investor in the China diesel engine industry. 

Later in the day, the Governor, First Lady and delegation traveled to Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, Indiana’s Chinese sister state. There, they co-hosted with Zhejiang officials a reception attended by more than 75 local business leaders.

As Governor Mike Pence begins his five-day jobs and economic development mission in China, he is showcasing the work of Indiana’s artisans throughout the trip by practicing the East Asian ritual of gift giving. 

“China’s ancient history was on display today during our visit to the Great Wall,” said Pence. “The rich history at the wall reminded me of Indiana’s history and the vital threads that make up the very fabric of Indiana culture. During our meetings this week with Chinese business and government leaders, we’ll be presenting these Hoosier-made pieces of art that tell our story and showcase our heritage as a state dedicated to quality and craftsmanship.” 

Gift giving is important in Asian business protocol and emphasis is placed on this ritual. During the trip, the Governor is presenting high-ranking business leaders with wooden bowls produced by Madison-based Chapman Woodturning Inc., which feature a raw, bark edging and Indiana’s state seal laser-engraved on the bottom. Crafted by artisan Gary Chapman, who retired from the Madison Consolidated School District after 34 years of teaching art, the bowls are hand crafted from local fallen and discarded trees of the Indiana forests. 

“Indiana’s natural beauty is already a work of art,” said Chapman. “It’s my passion to transform wood from fallen trees in our state’s forests into bowls and other wood creations. It is an honor to have my bowls given as gifts on the Governor’s trip to China and an honor to represent Indiana’s artist community to leaders half way around the globe. I hope Chinese government and business officials treasure these bowls as a reminder of all that Indiana has to offer.” 

Amish wall-hanging quilts from Shipshewana-based Little Helpers Quilt Shop are also among the gifts being given to high-ranking Chinese business leaders and government officials. Comprised of 40,000-50,000 hand-sewn stitches, Amish quilts from Indiana are a craft and tradition that date back more than a hundred years, originating with European Amish families moving to the Hoosier State in the mid-1800s.  

The Governor is also presenting Kokomo-based Kokomo Opalescent Glass hand-blown glass vessels, which feature an etching of the company’s name and the Indiana state seal.  

First Lady Karen Pence is presenting silk scarves with a watercolor print of Indiana’s official state flower, the Peony, to company and culture officials in China. The First Lady painted the original watercolor that is used as the design for the scarf.  

Gifts including a greeting card set featuring photographs of Indiana’s state parks, neckties in state colors and pens featuring the Governor’s signature will also be given to officials in attendance at the meetings. 

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation purchased the gifts using private contributions from the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.  

The Governor also kicked off his week in Beijing by meeting with the Haier Group, the largest Chinese multinational consumer electronics and home appliances company, to thank them for choosing Evansville, Indiana for its tech center last fall. 

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE:PNC), recently released the Cash and Treasury Management Country Report on China. The comprehensive report highlights the latest economic data from China’s financial environment, cash management and trade finance policies. According to the report, “China’s status as the world’s most populous nation combined with the trade-related reform associated with its ‘open-door’ policy since the 1970s has helped to make it the world’s largest exporter and second largest economy.”

Full Report: 15.02.27 AFP updated country report CHINA[1]