USA–China SME Partnership Week 2011

USA-China SME Partnership Week 2011, co-sponsored by Global Alliance of SMEs, US-China Exchange Association, Silicon Valley Information Business Alliance, Columbia China Law and Business Association, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economy Opportunity, and Zhejiang Institute of International Finance, was held in San Francisco, New York and Chicago from October 21-25, 2011.


Participants of USA-China SME Partnership Week 2011 included Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, Cheng Siwei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress of China, Judy Chu, U.S. Congresswoman, Gao Zhansheng, China’s Consulate General to San Francisco, Ma Shiyun, Speaker pro Tempore of California, Dr. Robert A. Mundell, Nobel Laureate in Economics, Edwin Lee, Mayor of San Francisco, Bill Spitler, Chairman of GASME, and other VIPs from both China and the U.S.


The SME Partnership Week 2011 was a series of conferences, forums, and other events aimed to promote cooperation and exchange between American and Chinese enterprises, following the successful “Zhejiang-US SME Partnership Week 2010” that concluded last year. Over 100 Chinese entrepreneurs from 10 Chinese provinces and province-level municipalities and 500 American entrepreneurs attended the partnership week.


The four main events of the SME Partnership Week 2011 were the 2011 Silicon Valley Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum, US-China New Technology Project Investment Matchmaking Conference (Silicon Valley), US-China Investment and Financing Forum (New York), and US-China Investment and Financing Matchmaking Conference (Chicago).


2011 Silicon Valley Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum was on October 21 in Santa Clara Convention Center of Silicon Valley. The opening ceremony keynote address was delivered by Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States. President Clinton pointed out that China and the U.S. are the two most important countries in the world today, and only through mutual cooperation and understanding can there be shared prosperity in both countries. He said that the U.S. welcomes change, such as technological innovation, and is always ready to explore new possibilities. In addition, President Clinton emphasized that the world needs enhanced cooperation between U.S. and China in areas of high technology and technological innovation. President Clinton emphasized that cooperation between American and Chinese SMEs is also very essential.


The organizing committee of 2011 Silicon Valley Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum selected and appraised the top 100 projects with most investment value from over 300 new technology projects in the U.S. These projects areas included information technology, biological technology, renewable energy technology, energy saving technology, environmental protection technology, new materials technology, etc. In the afternoon of October 21, Chinese entrepreneurs initiated their cooperation with many of the new technology projects.


The US-China Investment and Financing Forum (New York) was held at Columbia University on October 23. Dr. Robert A. Mundell, Nobel Laureate in Economics and professor at Columbia University, delivered a keynote speech on “The Great Crisis and China's Role in It”. Professor Mundell analyzed the root causes of America’s financial crisis, and praised China for its important role in mitigating the effects of the financial crisis. He pointed out that China shares the same interests in economic growth and global development as the United States and Europe. Professor Mundell argued that the RMB, USD and Euro are the world’s most important sovereign currencies, and should be the cornerstone of a new international currency. Bill Spitler, Chairman of GASME, Dr. George Wang, President of USCEA, Lilibeth Hanlon, expert on NASDAQ listing, Professor Jin Xuejun, President of Zhejiang International Finance Association, Zhou Dewen, President of Wenzhou SME Advancement Association, and Xu Feng, President of Huaxia Chamber of Commerce, delivered speeches in the forum.


The US-China Investment and Financing Matchmaking Conference was held in the Sheraton Hotel, Chicago on October 25. Chinese entrepreneurs lead business meetings with American investment banks, private equity funds, venture capital firms, audit firms and corporate lawyers.

The USA-China SME Partnership Week 2011 was dedicated to creating a platform for closer cooperation between American and Chinese SMEs. It offered speeches by leading world experts as well as practical and personalized business matchmaking events. Overall SME Partnership Week 2011 was very well received by business leaders in both the United States and China.