Leaders Set to Discuss China-South Carolina Relationship

March 18, 2009

CLEMSON, SC – March 18, 2009 — Upstate leaders will discuss China’s role in the South Carolina economy at noon Friday, April 3, at the Lazy Goat Restaurant in downtown Greenville.

“Promoting the South Carolina Economy: Upstate and China” is part of the Clemson University Center for China Studies speaker series and will feature Greenville Mayor Knox White as well as Vivian Wong, founder of the Global Trading Consortium, and Hal Johnson III, president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Upstate Alliance.

The luncheon event is $20 and registration is requested at http://business.clemson.edu/rencenter/RenaissanceCtr.htm or by e-mailing [email protected].

“Much of South Carolina’s economy depends on exports and international investment,” said Xiaobo Hu, director of the Center for China Studies and a political science professor. “In the face of the current economic recession, it is remarkable to see South Carolina continue to enjoy its trading relationship with China, the fifth-largest export destination of South Carolina products and services.

“In promoting a better trading relationship with China, we have three distinguished experts in the Upstate who will share their experience and strategies to open up the Chinese market and attract Chinese investments,” Hu said.


 

Vivian Wong

Wong, born in Hong Kong, emigrated to the United States with her husband in 1963. Soon after their arrival they founded an expanding restaurant chain. From there, Wong and her network of partners and associates grew a global landscape of successful business ventures and international trade work. She has been recognized for her achievements, including Entrepreneur of the Year, Woman of the Year, Order of the Palmetto and Honorary Trade Ambassador. In addition, Wong is the founder of three national banks, the owner of Pacific Gateway Capital, the founder of the Global Trading Consortium, a hotel owner and a partner in a chain of drugstores and a hotel chain in China.

Knox White

White has been mayor of Greenville since 1995 and has been a leader in advancing neighborhood initiatives and neighborhood revitalization. He is a member of Board of Visitors of the University Center of Greenville, North Greenville Rotary, board of the Peace Center for the Performing Arts and the Commission of Public Works. White is a partner in the law firm of Haynsworth, Sinkler & Boyd, where he heads the firm’s immigration and customs practices. He received degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Hal Johnson III

Johnson has been president and CEO of the Upstate Alliance since 2005. He started his career with Milliken and Tietex. He then served as executive director of the Orangeburg County Development Commission for six years. President of the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association in 2005-06, Johnson is currently on the board of directors for the Southern Economic Developers Association. A business administration graduate of The Citadel, he was named Economic Developer of the Year by the National Rural Economic Developers Association in 2003.