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July 22, 2016: Mr. Hong Lei Named New Consul General

 Posted by on October 14, 2016  News  Comments Off on July 22, 2016: Mr. Hong Lei Named New Consul General
Oct 142016
 

Mr.HONG Lei, the new Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago, has arrived in the city of Chicago and assumed his office from July 22, 2016.

In an interview with local Chinese media at the O’Hare airport upon his arrival, Consul General HONG Lei extended cordial greetings to local Chinese community. He said that, with the unprecedented development of China-US relations and the unprecedented scale of common interest between China and US, our two nations are shouldering unprecedented responsibilities to safeguard the peace,prosperity and stability of the world. We should keep the bilateral ties developing steadily on a healthy track so as to benefit our nations and people.

Consul General HONG Lei noted that all the nine states within the consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago are showing strong desires to develop closer ties with China. As a new Consul General, he will devote himself to working with people from all walks of life in the Midwest, with the aim of strengthening China-U.S. Relations, to further promote pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between China and the region. He will also dedicate himself as always to providing good services to the local Chinese community, who has played an important role in promoting China-US ties and the development of our two nations, as well as to the Chinese students.

Consul General HONG Lei was a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry before this posting, and he spent years working in Chinese Embassy in Netherlands and Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco.

Story Courtesy of Chinese Consulate in Chicago

May 12, 2016: Bedford Mayor Leads Delegation to China

 Posted by on June 6, 2016  News  Comments Off on May 12, 2016: Bedford Mayor Leads Delegation to China
Jun 062016
 

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On May 12th, Bedford Mayor Shawna Girgis travelled to China on an eight-day business trip. Accompanied by Mr. Larry Ingraham (Ingraham & Associates) and Ms. Ellen Chen (William-Lynn-James), Mayor Girgis travelled to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Bedford’s sister city, Fenghua to meet with business, government and education leaders.

In Shanghai Mayor Girgis met with an executive of the Starr Company that is representing Indiana in China to discuss business interests. She then met with Zhejiang provincial officials in Hangzhou to discuss the investment attractions of Bedford/Lawrence County, and ways to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Indiana-Zhejiang sister-state relationship in 2017. In sister-city Fenghua Mayor Girgis met with Mayor Gao Haomeng, and signed an historic sister-school agreement between Bedford Middle School and the Fenghua Experimental Middle School that sets the stage for student/teacher exchanges between the two communities beginning in 2017. In addition, in both Hangzhou and Fenghua Mayor Girgis visited manufacturing companies that are interested in investing in the U.S. in the future. Her trip was dedicated to creating new opportunities for her community in the areas of culture, education and business.

May 2, 2016: PTS Diagnostics to be Acquired by Sinocare

 Posted by on October 14, 2016  News  Comments Off on May 2, 2016: PTS Diagnostics to be Acquired by Sinocare
Oct 142016
 

Indianapolis-based PTS Diagnostics is being acquired by a Chinese company in a $200 million deal. The biometric testing device company expects the deal with Sinocare to close later this year. The companies say anticipate adding employees because of the business growth they expect from the acquisition.

PTS Chief Executive Officer Robert Huffstodt says the acquisition will put the company’s products in front of a much larger customer base. PTS has 215 employees, including 149 in Indianapolis.

The deal also includes considerations of up to $90 million, which are contingent on meeting certain milestones. Upon closing, PTS Diagnostics will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinocare.

Huffstodt says the company is “quite pleased and excited” by opportunities that could come as a result of the acquisition. In a release, he said, “We share a vision of innovation and creativity, and together we will make our various solutions available to a much larger customer base, driving action and connecting more people to improved outcomes. Our biometric connectivity and information platform, the PTS Connect solution, continues to solve significant data management problems for healthcare professionals.”

Sinocare CEO Shaobo Li says the company “commends and respects” the achievements of PTS, adding “we are confident that they will be able to continue to deliver and achieve our common goals.”

PTS Diagnostics says it designs, manufactures and distributes its products for markets in more than 135 countries.

Story Courtesy of Inside Indiana Business

Apr. 28, 2016: Indiana Elementary Students Visit Dongyang

 Posted by on June 6, 2016  News  Comments Off on Apr. 28, 2016: Indiana Elementary Students Visit Dongyang
Jun 062016
 

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On April 2, 2016, nine students and three staff members from Columbia Elementary School in Logansport visited the Dongyang Experimental Primary School in China. Along with visiting cultural sites in Hangzhou and Beijing, the Logansport students stayed with local Chinese host families and attended classes in Dongyang.

In January 2013, principals and officials from Zhejiang Province visited Logansport Community School Corporation facilities. During their visit, sister school agreements were signed, promising a future of working and growing together. Since the initial visit, 94 students and 26 educators have visited Logansport, staying in the homes of community families and learning about American customs.

Apr. 16, 2016: ACSI Board Members Receive Leadership Accolades

 Posted by on April 21, 2016  News  Comments Off on Apr. 16, 2016: ACSI Board Members Receive Leadership Accolades
Apr 212016
 

 

On April 16, 2016, three members of ACSI’s Board of Directors received the Outstanding Leadership award at the Indy Asian American Times Annual Gala in downtown Indianapolis. Mr. Ryan Hou (LHP), Mr. Joe Xu (Confucius Institute) and Mr. Xishun Zhang (The Heritage Group) each received awards for Community Engagement, Education and Business respectively. The event, which played host to more than 200 members Indiana’s Chinese community, featured a welcome by Mr. Danny Lopez, Chief of Staff for Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb along with a special tribute to former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. Established in 2004, the Indy Asian American Times (IAAT) is Indiana’s first bilingual (Mandarin/English) publication.

Feb. 16, 2016: Chinese Commercial Counsellor Visits Indiana

 Posted by on April 21, 2016  News  Comments Off on Feb. 16, 2016: Chinese Commercial Counsellor Visits Indiana
Apr 212016
 
(Left to Right) Mr. Yuanpeng Dan, Mr. Michael Huber, Mr. Xiaoming Zou and Mr. Colin Renk.

(Left to Right) Mr. Yuanpeng Dan, Mr. Michael Huber, Mr. Xiaoming Zou and Mr. Colin Renk.

On Tuesday, February 16th, Commercial Counsellor Mr. Xiaoming Zou and Consul Mr. Yuanpeng Dan visited Indiana to learn more about our region’s investment and trade initiatives for 2016. Along with meeting with leadership from the Indy Chamber and Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Mr. Zou and Mr. Dan participated in ACSI’s New Year Networking event and engaged with more than 40 of our corporate members. “This was my first trip to Indiana and I was very happy to meet the state’s leadership and business owners,” said Zou.  “I look forward to working with Indiana to create more bilateral business opportunities with China.”

Nov. 18, 2015: ACSI Co-Hosts Global Maker Career Fair at Purdue

 Posted by on November 23, 2015  News  Comments Off on Nov. 18, 2015: ACSI Co-Hosts Global Maker Career Fair at Purdue
Nov 232015
 

On November 18th, ACSI co-hosted the Global Maker Career Fair at Purdue University. The event, which featured more than 20 companies and 3000 students, was designed for International Students seeking internship and full-time employment opportunities in the United States.

Nov. 4, 2015: China Investment Promotion Agency Visits Indianapolis

 Posted by on November 23, 2015  News  Comments Off on Nov. 4, 2015: China Investment Promotion Agency Visits Indianapolis
Nov 232015
 

On November 4th, the China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) a national level investment platform of China’s Ministry of Commerce visited Indianapolis on a trade and investment mission. As part of the their visit, the seven delegates met with Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann before touring and meeting with representatives from 16Tech, the Indianapolis International Airport and the Purdue Research Foundation. Indianapolis-based Barnes & Thornburg also hosted a dinner reception. This trip marks CIPA’s second visit to the Hoosier state in 11 months.

 

Aug. 27, 2015: ACSI Hosts 4th Annual Gala

 Posted by on November 23, 2015  News  Comments Off on Aug. 27, 2015: ACSI Hosts 4th Annual Gala
Nov 232015
 

ACSI was pleased to host its fourth annual gala at the The Conrad on August 27th. Over 250 guests were in attendance representing ACSI member organizations, regional supporters, special guests and volunteers. Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann delivered the keynote speech and spoke to the growing Indiana – China relationship. Mr. Charlie Cai, CEO of Westfield Outdoors and a board member at ACSI, received an award for his individual work in the Chinese community in Indiana, Dow Agrosciences received an award for their corporate work in China and ACSI’s new board members were introduced. The Lilly Chinese Cultural Network provided traditional Chinese dance as entertainment for the evening.

Thank you to all of our sponsors, performers and volunteers! Your support made this event possible.

July 14, 2015: Haier Opens North American Tech Center in Evansville

 Posted by on November 23, 2015  News  Comments Off on July 14, 2015: Haier Opens North American Tech Center in Evansville
Nov 232015
 

Haier America has officially opened its doors in Evansville. The city says the Technology and Design Center of Excellence will create 50 jobs and have a $10 million annual economic impact.

Governor Mike Pence, Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and leadership from Haier Group, the multinational manufacturer of home appliances and consumer electronics, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning.

“With the wealth of talent in the area and the way in which the local and regional communities have embraced us, Evansville is the perfect location to launch this Haier facility in the United States. The opening of the Haier Center aligns with our strategy to design and manufacture consumer-centric, whole-home platform solutions that fit the lives and anticipate the needs of American consumers. Haier is closer and more committed to the U.S. market than ever before,” President and CEO of Haier America Adrian Micu said.

“Today’s ribbon cutting ceremony for Haier America’s new Research and Development Tech Center signifies the launch of a new manufacturing era for our community with the reemergence of the appliance industry in Evansville. This city has a strong history of producing refrigerators, air conditioners and other larger appliances, and we are proud to partner with the world’s No. 1 leader in major appliance brands. Haier has already exceeded its initial hiring commitment, and I am confident this is only the beginning of the company’s presence in our community for decades to come,” Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said.

The 30,000-square-foot facility is located in the former Coca-Cola bottling plant and distribution center in Evansville. Haier America says it plans to invest more than $2.8 million to renovate the facility. It will have engineering offices, laboratories, a showroom and a model shop. The center will develop appliances for the North American market.

“When I met with Haier executives in China this spring, I was invigorated by the company’s plans to accelerate technology development in Indiana. In addition to our strong workforce and pro-growth business climate, Indiana has quickly become a center for innovation, making the Hoosier State the natural choice for this facility as Haier continues to increase its presence in the United States,” Governor Mike Pence said.

Haier