Go to Dothan!

The ten-foot-tall bronze statue of Joseph, located in the middle of the park on Museum Drive in downtown Dothan, has a firm, deep and kind gaze that looks into the distance. What is engraved under the statue is the above verse from the "Bible • Genesis". Westerners are familiar with and rejoice in the story of Joseph because of its inherent beauty and strength that is human. The organizers who carefully prepared the Dothan 2014 China-US Manufacturing Forum put the bronze statue on the title page of the forum's agenda. In addition to informing the participants from afar about the origin of Dothan's place name and the seriousness of the forum theme, they also conveyed to China Entrepreneurs call and advise: Dothan, a place of origin, may bring a trailblazing twist and prosperity to their careers.

Interactive Topic: Is it time to invest in America?

"Time", "Location", "People and People" across oceans and seas

The Sino-US Manufacturing Forum organized by Sanye Group in conjunction with the US Department of Commerce, the Dothan government and many institutions From March 26th to 28th, it was grandly held in Dothan Civic Center, Alabama, USA. A total of more than 500 people including entrepreneurs from China and the United States, more than 40 local and federal government officials from six states in the southeastern United States, international celebrities and senior scholars participated in the event. At the scene, the large-scale calligraphy and painting of "time of day", "advantage of geography" and "people and people" were particularly eye-catching. China's traditional strategy for success has become a red line running through the entire forum process.

In fact, the current upsurge of investing in the United States has a great background. President Obama launched "Select USA" in 2011. "Select USA" is the first time in history that the relevant purpose has been implemented in the entire federal government. grand project initiated within. The program regards attracting foreign investment in the United States as a top priority, using it as an engine to promote job growth and economic development in the United States. Therefore, the US publicity slogan is: "Our goal is to ensure that in the process of setting up your company in the United States, while enhancing the economic strength of the United States, it also enhances the global competitiveness of the settled company" - specific to China and the United States Between the two countries, this is also a unique "time of the day" established under the goal of win-win!

Francisco Sanchez, the former deputy secretary of the US Department of Commerce, was appointed in charge of international trade five years ago when the economy was in a downturn. Due to the importance of Sino-US business relations, he has visited China 10 times, and now Chinese entrepreneurs have also noticed that he spared no effort in calling for China to "choose the United States." In this Dothan Forum, he listed the advantages of the United States as the world's largest economy and preferred investment destination in energy, human resources, market, intellectual property protection, legal system, supporting facilities and many other aspects.

If the sinister investment environment is different, the good investment places have similar advantages. State and local government officials and representatives who came to participate in the forum also fully demonstrated their local advantages up and down the forum. Most of the environment is pro-business, and the state government supports business; in line with global standards, advanced transportation and communication facilities; low operating costs, professional and efficient employees; complete human development network, good training opportunities; moderate Climate, excellent labor environment, large tracts of land suitable for building factories; low housing prices, advanced and convenient medical care, perfect education system; profound cultural and artistic traditions, high quality of life... These are all factors for the location of enterprises that expect to thrive. As for the pure air, quiet ponds, and Chinese restaurants that the hosts seem to mention lightly, they also have a great attraction for Chinese entrepreneurs beyond their expectations. The forum hosts can and are willing to provide the most competitive investment environment for Chinese investors, solemnly promise to provide practical assistance to Chinese companies that are interested in investing, and will work closely with investors, according to the special characteristics of each company. Personalized service is required. Incentives for overseas and local companies will be treated equally.

Alabama also showed its tax incentives, with the lowest corporate income tax rate in the nation, no inventory tax, significantly lower property taxes than other states, and sales and use taxes. Low. In Alabama's industrial parks, the state grants corporate income tax and corporate sales tax deductions of up to $2,500 for each permanent job an investor creates.

It is also worth noting that some participating cities, such as North Carolina, listed in their brochures that they have good labor relations and the lowest percentage of employees joining unions. Arkansas also specifically states that the state has a "right to work" that prohibits union membership as an employment requirement.

An entrepreneur who came from afar said that he had never received such high-level treatment as the mayor of this forum personally greeted at the airport in his life. As soon as the participants arrived in the urban area, it was hard to miss seeing a few large welcome signs in Chinese that made people feel warm in the wind. The citizens paid enough attention to it. They knew about the upcoming forum a few months ago, and it became a hot topic of discussion after dinner. Ken Tuck, the media director of the Sanye Group, is a local. He was the editor-in-chief of the Dothan Eagle and a member of the board of directors of the Associated Press National Association of Editors. He has won numerous awards for more than ten years. He and his wife, Martha, have been devoutly charitable and helping those in need. You can see how enthusiastic they are for Chinese companies to invest in the United States. The general attitude of the American people towards Select USA is also largely evident from them.

Entrepreneurs who came to Dothan from China for the conference had the opportunity to communicate with many U.S. federal local officials, successful entrepreneurs and celebrities at this forum. Look at the head of the whole city hall, which is full of kindness and enthusiasm. During the conversation, the mayor sat on his knees; his eyes met, as easy as neighbors, and when they exchanged business cards, he was a high-ranking official. The harmonious atmosphere of the whole forum made the participants moved and impressed.

During the forum, teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at Troy University nearby, as well as Chinese students, also volunteered to serve. All of them were young, energetic and bright. The local Chinese community in Dothan is not large, but the Chinese families I visited have lived very successfully here, and they all look forward to Chinese entrepreneurs coming to Dothan Ban Factory. Many Chinese guests have fully experienced the hospitality of the people in the southern part of the United States through the initial networking of this forum. One boss said that in the future, Ruoban Factory Dothan was attracted to him because of the folk customs here! This statement can be said to express the common feeling of everyone. In the Dothan area, the folk customs are simple and honest.

Alabama's Chinese 3D printer for label manufacturing

On the third day of the forum, Nanjing Zijin Lide Electronics Co., Ltd. solemnly announced that it will set up a small 3D printer manufacturing factory in Dothan City. The new factory will be named Dothan 3D. Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz signed a contract with the company's executives on the spot. General Manager Lian Ning said at the signing ceremony: "If we succeed in Alabama, I believe that more Chinese companies will come to the United States." Mayor Schmitz said that 3D printing has unlimited potential, just like Dothan There are medical schools, commercial jets, and some other good businesses that will make the city better and bring high technology here, which is the future of manufacturing.

Zhang Liu, chairman of Nanjing Zijin Lide Electronics Co., Ltd. and general manager (now also general manager of Dothan 3D) Lian Ning previously told the author that their 3D brand had two spots in the online selection. Projects are ranked first. China's manufacturing industry has entered a stage of steady development. It already has its own high-tech products and is phasing out some old equipment. Zijin Lide was the first enterprise to enter 3D printing. It was originally a flat printer. The closeness of the principle made it enter this field earlier. At present, its technology is in a leading position both at home and abroad. The United States is their largest international market, and it is hoped that the product will enter on a large scale. Last year, they donated 6 3D printers for teaching to the city of Dothan, and these printers were displayed at the forum this time. They say that Dothan can provide comprehensive infrastructure with lower tax and labor costs than major U.S. cities such as New York. He said that setting up a factory here will allow the company to reduce transportation costs and improve customer service in the US market. In the future, products can develop in a more diversified and personalized direction. Asked about the scale of the new factory in Dothan, the two leaders were more cautious. They plan to recruit some local U.S. employees with college degrees for training, and see how the situation develops. They said they are most worried about the market, followed by cultural differences.

Can your business afford to miss out on such a great opportunity!

From Dalian Wanda Group's acquisition of American AMC Entertainment, Shenzhen Huada Gene's acquisition of Complete Genomics, to Shuanghui International's acquisition of Smithfield Foods, it seems that the momentum of Chinese companies' "choose the United States" is increasing, and the scale is increasing day by day. Sheng. However, Chinese companies are still cold among the long list of foreign-funded companies that have landed in the United States, so Chinese investment in the United States is still in the initial stage. He Ning, Economic and Commercial Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the United States, discussed with you the impact, problems and potential of Chinese companies going global, and reminded you of some unsuccessful examples of going global. In his speech, he gave a lot of data, which impressed the participants that only 2% of foreign investment in the United States came from China, although He Ning pointed out that Chinese investment in the United States will increase significantly.

Ronnie Chan, Co-Chairman of the Asia Society and a successful entrepreneur, gave a very provocative speech at the forum. He believed that it is not only China that is rising now, but the West is also rising at the same time. The United States is an important factor in world peace, and its economy is recovering in turn. Neither its own country nor other countries should lose confidence. The U.S. government has successively introduced a number of policies to encourage large enterprises to refocus on "Made in America", and the United States will become the center of manufacturing again in the next few years. Abundant resources, the most advanced technology, the convenience of on-site manufacturing, and low prices will make it the largest market again. The United States can become the first choice for the development of China's manufacturing industry, but he said that the US government's "SelectUSA" is not only for China, and the United States cannot wait for a long time, so he called on Chinese entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity, not to miss it, and not to miss it Such an opportunity! You need to ask yourself: "can you afford to miss such a chance!" Yes, will you regret missing this opportunity in the future?

"Because time is tight, so please be careful"

The first-ever ones have seized the industrial opportunities brought about by the "re-industrialization" of the United States, and are the first to enjoy the benefits provided by governments at all levels in the United States. Preferential treatment and resources. Faced with a crowded domestic market, shrinking labor force and rapidly rising operating costs, investing in America is clearly in the ascendant. Since then, all the guests have been expanding relationships, looking for opportunities and discovering common interests, and it is not difficult to feel the fear of missing a car in the current Chinese business community. In the forum, Chen Weihua, the head of cross-border business process service outsourcing from Guangdong Huijia Investment Management Co., Ltd., was quite active. He said that he came to this forum to investigate and understand the US market and investment environment. As far as he knows, Tiannan Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., a local manufacturer of "military, police and civilian multi-purpose intelligent robots" in Dongguan, has a strong intention to build a factory in the United States. Others, such as a mobile intelligent lossless music processor in a headphone factory in Zhongshan (which has established an American company and an American brand), Dongguan LED factory, furniture factory, Dongguan Bluetooth audio and tablet computer factory, etc., are all interested in investing in the United States. He plans to return to Dongguan in the future and combine the resources, contacts and channels in the United States to promote and serve more qualified manufacturing factories to come to the United States to operate in the United States, and to do his best for the manufacturing industry in China and the United States.

However, Mr. Sanchez told a story on the forum, and the end of the story was a meaningful sentence: "please take time, because I am in a hurry" - this sentence seems to be contradictory, but Deep and far-reaching. Time does not wait for me, but those who take shortcuts urgently often get twice the result with half the effort.

It is true that it takes courage to go abroad to do business in the United States. Possible benefits and challenges coexist. Even companies that have taken this step are not guaranteed to win. "I just want to do something that can be recalled in the future. Innovation means a certain degree of risk, but it is worth it." "We have already made similar attempts to invest overseas as early as the late 1990s. Due to US policy laws The unfamiliarity of waiting, coupled with the insincere partners, caused the failure. This time the Sanye Group took the lead, and the industrial planning was also jointly planned with the Sanye Group, so I felt quite hopeful.” Zhang Liu, chairman of Nanjing Zijin Lide, said so. tell the author.

Sanye Group provides professional and all-round services in the process of "Choose the United States" in China's investment. Since then, the forum has a broad and refined composition of institutional guests, as well as keynote speeches and enterprises entering the United States in many aspects. The careful arrangement of closely related levels has fully reflected the comprehensiveness of its overall planning. Their efforts were well received by the participants. There were also many successful entrepreneurs on the forum who shared their own experiences and used different methods to warn companies planning to go abroad not to seek quick success. For enterprises to land in the new world, in addition to comprehensive professional skills, interdisciplinary knowledge accumulation, strategic analysis and estimation of various obstacles and crisis management capabilities, planning and executors also need cross-cultural - including different Competitive communication skills, international operating experience and creative thinking in the judicial system. During the whole planning and implementation process, it is necessary to have the full assistance of professional organizations and professionals like Sanye that have been proved to have such strength, so as to reduce unnecessary losses and establish a good start with no or less potential problems. , and a good start is half the battle!

In the long river of history

Lin Xinwei, who cooperated with Haier Group to establish the first Chinese manufacturing company in the United States in South Carolina, couldn't help but feel three emotions when sharing his experience with entrepreneurs in the forum. Ten years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi. Back then, only the United States invested in China, but now Chinese companies with decades of development have become popular investors in the United States.

Sidney Rittenberg was the only foreign member of the Communist Party of China in the early days. He had contacts with Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, etc., and witnessed China's revolutionary process. The old man's spirit is still vigorous and his mind is still sharp. In the forum, in addition to his appreciation, he warned the pioneers in the joy of success as an elder: "Now the tent has been set up, but it may be windy and rainy in the future, we need to fix it with nails. Don't let it float."

The Chinese people and Chinese enterprises have come a long way, and the great historical changes in the middle are worth recording for future generations, and it is also the pride of those involved. In the forum, the media can be seen from time to time, and everything is going on with sound and color. A woman named Lucy Ostrander caught my attention. She graduated from Stanford University and went to China in the 1970s. She is the producer of the documentaries Witness to Revolution: the story of Anna Louise Strong and The Revolutionary (www.revolutionaymovie.com). Her invitation to come and the planning and upcoming production of the new documentary Chinese company "Choose America" proves that the Sanye Group itself is not a group eager for quick success but a group that works hard for ideals. Zheng Liming, the president with a sense of mission, is very devoted to his work, and he is very good at it. ceconline.com/MA/20140605_MA_MF_IMF_11_05.jpg" width="450px"/>

After the successful closing of the forum, a dinner of hundreds of people was held at the local Chinese culture lover, USLegal chairman, and famous lawyer Keith Giving It was held at the mansion of Keith Givens. What impresses me most is the various Chinese cultural relics scattered throughout his mansion: Shoushan Stone, Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Zisha tea utensils, agarwood and red sandalwood, engraved gold flower cabinets, wrong-colored lacquer utensils... A quaint and exquisite screen and a traditional Chinese wedding The sedan chair sits quietly in its splendid Western-style living room, which is rarely seen even in today's China. Mr. Givens told the author that things made in China are so wonderful that he cherished them all his life and collected them as much as possible. There are even a few times when they meet guests, they hide in the sedan chair in advance, and then come out of the sedan chair unexpectedly to show the guests the exquisiteness of Chinese manufacturing. It seems that Chinese manufacturing is not only interesting to Americans today. Can the story in it also predict the prospect of "Choose America"?