​(June 26, 2012) California Chamber of Commerce member McWong Environmental and Energy Group (MEEG) has grown to become one of the premier partners for many industries in China, and actively promotes advanced products and technologies from the United States.

Margaret Wong, McWong Environmental and Energy Group president, accepts the President’s ‘E’ Award for Exports from U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson.

The company, which is headquartered in Sacramento, specializes in providing design, technology, and equipment for wastewater treatment and sludge treatment for both municipal and industrial applications.

U.S.-China Cooperation

Over the years, MEEG has been called upon to meet with leaders, host delegations to China, and form conferences within the state to discuss environmental and economic partnerships.

In 2005, MEEG President and CEO Margaret Wong accompanied Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on a tour of equipment the company supplied to Baosteel, the largest steel plant in China and the third largest producer in the world. MEEG has worked closely with Baosteel on many wastewater treatment projects over the years.

In remarks at Baosteel, Governor Schwarzenegger called the wastewater treatment operation there “a perfect example of how California and China can work together.”

Two years later, MEEG was again chosen to host a delegation to China, this time for California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi.

The company has also been sought on numerous occasions for its input on environmental matters. In 2008, Wong and Maureen Gorsen, director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, met with the director of China’s Environmental Science Academy Soil Research Institute, Dr. Li Fa Sheng, and explained U.S. concepts like “cradle to cradle” and “green chemistry initiative.” Wong and Gorsen also met with the ministry of the Poison Substances Department and the minister of the International Cooperation Department for the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau to further develop an arrangement for cooperation between the California Environmental Protection Agency and the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau.

In 2010, the general manager of MEEG in Shanghai, Alex Ping Zhang, was invited by the general counsel of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Fulton, to participate in the American Government Environmental Delegation to discuss cooperation and environmental policies.

The company was recently chosen to begin working on the China Energy Commission, and the California Environmental and Energy Exhibition & Trade mission to China, an annual event which highlights new technologies and products in the environmental and energy fields.

Business Efforts

In May, MEEG received the Presidential “E” Award for Exports at the White House, an award that is considered the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

MEEG received the award for demonstrating a substantial increase in the volume of exports over a four-year period, which is a major criterion for the award.

The company has also signed wastewater and sewage contracts for large projects with some of the largest companies in China—this includes a contract on the $17 million Hua Yi Chaohu Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant project.

Philanthropic Efforts

In addition to helping bring cooperation between the United States and China, MEEG participates in charity causes throughout China, contributing to the Qingpu Democratic School.

In 2004, the company promoted the first National Basketball Association (NBA) China Games, between the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets.

Later, in 2007, MEEG welcomed international basketball player Vlade Divac to China. The company regularly organizes basketball camps for the Divac Children’s Foundation.

When a magnitude 8.0 earthquake hit Wenchuan County in the Sichuan Province in 2008, MEEG organized a fundraiser and company staff volunteered their time to help earthquake victims.

“Profiles in Trade” is a regular feature highlighting the international activities of CalChamber member companies.