The delegation arrived in Tokyo safely on Friday and Saturday we traveled to Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Indiana-Tochigi sister-state relationship.  We toured their capital building and then had a Japanese box luncheon.  We then attended the commemorative planting of a tulip tree was planted in Central park.  We then attendedthe 10th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and the welcome reception hosted by Tochigi Prefecture Governor Fukuda.  Very grand event!  And then back to Tokyo.

Hello from Hangzhou!  Wednesday we traveled from Shanghai to Hangzhou in the Zhejiang Province  by charter bus.  A three hour drive in which we saw some of the countryside and the construction of  a highspeed railway.  Stopped at a rest area half way and had the opportunity to use RMB for the first time.  (RMB is the currency). 

Arrived at hotel and prepared for meeting with Secretary General of Zhejiang Province and other government officials.  The mayors and the IEDC representatives were participants in the meeting.  What an experience!  The Secretary hosted a generous banquet for all the delegation.  We were served several courses of traditional Chinese food and had a very pleasant experience.  There were five young ladies playing music with traditional Chinese instruments and they were darling!

Thursday we toured Zheijiang University and met with the President and university staff.  The campus was very large and had many unique buildings, in particular the architecture department building.  We visited the Meijiawu Tea Garden on our return to the hotel.  My fellow mayors and I had lunch at KFC, which is on every corner here!  We then met at the Zhejiang Investment Center and discussed export and import markets and investment.  Very enlightening discussion.  The mayors and IEDC representatives then met with the Governer of the Zhejiang Province and other government officials.  Again, an unbelievable experience.   The delegation was then hosted by Governor of Zhejiang Province, and again treated to a traditional formal Chinese dinner.  The young musicians joined us again also.  Finally learned to say thank you in Chinese!  Shay-Shay!  (My phonetic version.)

Heading to Tokyo!

Wow, it’s 11:45-what a day!  We attended the Cummins Supplier Conference, lunch and had networking time today at the hotel.   We then departed for the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce and met from 3-5 learning about their organization, showcased Indiana, and discussed many things including incubators.  We went immediately to the Hoosier Club of Shanghai Reception.  It was amazing to see so many people that live in China that have lived in our state.  I had the chance to meet with former students of IU, Purdue, and Ball State, employees of companies that lived in Indiana for two or three years, Magna-Shanghai employees (yes the same company that has a plant in Muncie) and the Director and his wife of China Operations for Ball State University.  I also had the pleasure of meeting a former Anderson resident who grew up next door to our Park Superintendent Doug Zook.  It was a great networking opportunity!  It truly is a small world!

I just returned from dinner with Mayors Costas, Seybold, Hosier, and our hosts.  We ate at a Tawainese restaurant and it was fabulous.  Once you get past the fish’s head and tail on the plate one can enjoy the opportunity to share the economic development incentives East Central Indiana has to offer and enjoy the fellowship with fellow mayors.

In 2008 Shanghai’s population exceeded 210 million and accounted for approximately 15% of China’s total population.  Also, per capita GDP was almost $9,039 compared to $3,260 nationwide.  The development is unbelievable.  I have never seen so many high rises.  Shanghai is working diligently on its infrastructure in part because they are hosting the World Expo next year. 

Time to call it a day!

Good morning from Shanghai!  I left Muncie at 9:30 Saturday morning and arrived at the hotel in Shanghai at 7:00 Sunday night.  We flew from Indianapolis to Detroit then then picked up our connecting flight to China.  The weather is hot and humid.  We have four meetings scheduled today in addition to a luncheon hosted by Cummins and a Hoosier Club of Shanghai reception this evening.  There are 27 of us and East Central Indiana is represented well with four mayors and Energize ECI.  Have a great day!