(November 22, 2005) California Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg returned from China, where he accompanied Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a delegation of California leaders on a six-day trade mission to market California agriculture, encourage tourism, discuss intellectual property rights and promote business investment in the state.

“We applaud the Governor’s decision to lead the delegation on a successful trip to explore opportunities for California businesses to expand in a diverse marketplace,” said Chamber President Allan Zaremberg. “California and China have a complex relationship with a long and intertwined history. This trip helped to encourage discussion in the areas of trade, energy, tourism, agriculture, natural and renewable resources, and intellectual property, all of which are integral to business in California.”

The business and trade mission arrived in Beijing on Monday, November 14, traveled to Shanghai on Wednesday, November 16 and then to Hong Kong on Friday, November 18. The mission departed China on November 19.

The Governor led the delegation of 75 California employers representing a cross-section of the state’s leading industries, including computer, communications technologies, agriculture, tourism, financial services, environmental and energy technologies, transportation, and property development, among others.

The trip included several meetings with Chinese business leaders and key government officials to discuss ways in which California can help meet China’s growing needs.

Among those needs are products, services, and technologies that can help China manage its exponential economic growth, estimated at 9.5 percent annually, protect its environment, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, improve its communications infrastructure and modernize its banking system.

The delegation included stops at Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China’s premier universities, and at a steel manufacturing plant outside Shanghai where California water treatment technology is helping conserve water and reduce pollution. During a trip to the Port of Shanghai, experts shared their ideas for how California can improve goods movement through its own ports.

The Governor and the delegation were guests at a luncheon hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing and the U.S.-China Business Council. At the luncheon, the Governor spoke on a variety of issues affecting U.S.-China business relations. Governor Schwarzenegger addressed more than 500 people at the luncheon including representatives from U.S. companies in China and Chinese companies interested in the California market.

Governor Schwarzenegger also spoke on environmental cooperation and educational exchanges between the two nations. He also promoted the Special Olympics, mentioning that Shanghai will host the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2007. Unresolved issues discussed by the Governor included intellectual property rights, unclear regulations of the Chinese government and issues arising as the Chinese economy grows, including energy needs, soil erosion and goods movement.

Also in Beijing, the delegation attended the Made in California Expo, organized by the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth that showcased to a Chinese audience the products and services of more than 40 California companies, including food, wine and fashion.

During their three days in Hong Kong the Governor unveiled a new public service announcement jointly produced by California and Hong Kong aimed at stamping out piracy of intellectual property, from software to agricultural and other consumer goods. China has worked hard in recent years to raise awareness of intellectual property rights and made efforts to curb piracy. Governor Schwarzenegger acknowledged California’s concerns with intellectual property rights at almost every stop on the tour. While he acknowledged China’s efforts, he also met with California’s Chinese partners to discuss how they can cooperate to battle this illegal practice, which can discourage trade and economic partnerships.

For more information on the Chamber’s positions on international trade issues please visit www.calchamber.com/international