China Policy Overview

With China’s stunning economic growth, its rapidly expanding middle class, the threat of competitors getting there first and, the escalating demand and premium price for Bay Area and American products – it’s no wonder why Bay Area companies have decided now is the time to expand in China.

After several years of trans-Pacific collaboration between the Bay Area Council and business and government leaders in China, we are proud to announce that we have opened a physical office in Shanghai’s Yangpu District to begin the important work of bilateral trade and investment promotion between our two regions. More than just an office, our partnership with local Chinese officials allows the Bay Area to enhance its role as a leader in the global economy and assert our region’s position as the key economic link to the Pacific Rim.

Through our China office, Council staff members both in the Bay Area and Shanghai help small, medium and large Bay Area businesses expand into the Chinese market, while working to attract Chinese businesses and investment here. The partnership has the goal of strengthening existing economic relationships between the Bay Area and the greater Yangtze region, and cultivating new ones.

Recent Accomplishments

• The Bay Area Council’s office opened in June of 2010 and is located in the Knowledge and Innovation Community in the Yangpu District of Shanghai. Yangpu is one of only three designated Innovation Zones in China and has a number of attributes attractive to venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.

• The Bay Area Council led two delegations to China in 2010, including a September delegation to Shanghai and Hangzhou featuring then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, three Cabinet Secretaries and delegates from 40 Bay Area companies.  These visits help our mission to bring new investment to the Bay Area, California and the U.S., to connect Bay Area businesses with Chinese opportunities and to help our members improve their relationships in the world’s fastest growing large economy.

• The Bay Area Council has helped lead the way for companies committed to building partnerships and their businesses in China.  In 2010, the Council supported MOUs and agreements in the Yangpu District with ZAP Jonway, Concept Art House, The Pacific Carbon Exchange (PCarbX), Cradle to Cradle Green Products Innovation Institute, Heller Manus Architects and Cherokee Fund.

• The Bay Area Council itself has signed agreements with the China Railway Construction Company and the Shanghai Financial Services Bureau that will serve to further Bay Area economic interests around California high speed rail and the growing venture capital industry in China, respectively.

Priorities

• Increase bilateral trade and investment activity through Bay Area Council Shanghai and Bay Area offices.

• Continue developing leading-edge analysis of the Bay Area’s role in global trade and help promote key investment opportunities between the Bay Area and China, as well as policies governing international trade and investment.

• Develop international partnerships and conferences around the green economy, healthcare & life sciences, IT, and other industry sectors to promote the Bay Area.

• Support a strengthened focus by the new administration in Sacramento on international trade and domestic economic development strategy.