Midwest-China Hub Commission
Encyclopedia
The Midwest-China Hub Commission (MCHC) (Chinese: 美国中西部与中国战略经济发展委员会) is a public-private trade collaboration among St. Louis and Missouri
governmental officials, business associates and China
.
) with the Civil Aviation Administration of China
(CAAC) (Chinese: 中国民用航空局) and Chinese Ministry of Commerce
(MOFCOM) (Chinese: 中华人民共和国商务部) to study a freight initiative.
The primary focus was to open a dialogue to create an economic hub to increase business and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Commission has completed two studies related to current trade with China and China freight forwarding opportunities.
The Midwest-China Hub Commission was officially formed on January 21, 2009
.
The Commission is formed by the voluntary involvement of State and local government and private entities, including:
In 1979, the first sister-city relationship between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China
was established between St. Louis and Nanjing
.
to gain feedback from local businesses and leaders, help broaden the base of regional knowledge, and catalogue the breadth of business already occurring between the Saint Louis region and China. The Councils help to identify new opportunities for regional trade and backhaul.
program requires potential investors to make qualifying investments ($500,000 or $1,000,000 minimums) and directly or indirectly create or save ten jobs.
The Gateway to the Midwest Investment Center (GMIC) became a non-profit EB-5 Regional Center as of September 27, 2010. Currently, the GMIC is not approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but will gain designation in 2011.
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
governmental officials, business associates and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
History
In March 2008, the Commission signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUMOU
MOU, MoU, Mou or mou may refer to:* Memorandum of understanding* Minutes of Use, in telecommunication operations* Ministry of Unification, a branch of the South Korean government.* The Museum of Osaka University...
) with the Civil Aviation Administration of China
Civil Aviation Administration of China
The Civil Aviation Administration of China , formerly the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China , is the aviation authority under the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China. It oversees civil aviation and investigates aviation accidents and incidents...
(CAAC) (Chinese: 中国民用航空局) and Chinese Ministry of Commerce
Ministry of Commerce
Ministry of Commerce may refer to:*Ministry of Commerce *Ministry of Commerce * Ministry of Commerce and Industry *Ministry of Commerce *Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China...
(MOFCOM) (Chinese: 中华人民共和国商务部) to study a freight initiative.
The primary focus was to open a dialogue to create an economic hub to increase business and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Commission has completed two studies related to current trade with China and China freight forwarding opportunities.
The Midwest-China Hub Commission was officially formed on January 21, 2009
.
The Commission is formed by the voluntary involvement of State and local government and private entities, including:
- City of St. Louis and Lambert-St. Louis International AirportLambert-St. Louis International AirportLambert-St. Louis International Airport is a Class B international airport serving Greater St. Louis. It is located approximately northwest of downtown St. Louis in unincorporated St. Louis County between Berkeley and Bridgeton. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state with 250 daily...
- Civic Progress
- Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Missouri Department of Economic Development (MODED)
- Missouri Department of TransportationMissouri Department of TransportationThe Missouri Department of Transportation is a state government organization in charge of maintaining public roadways of the U.S. state of Missouri.-External links:*...
(MoDOT) - Missouri Partnership
- Organization of Chinese AmericansOrganization of Chinese AmericansFounded in 1973, the Organization of Chinese Americans is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States...
St. Louis Chapter - St. Charles County and Partners for Progress
- St. Louis CountySt. Louis CountySt. Louis County is the name of two counties in the United States of America:* St. Louis County, Missouri* St. Louis County, Minnesota...
- St. Louis County Economic CouncilSt. Louis County Economic CouncilThe St. Louis County Economic Council serves as St. Louis County, Missouri’s economic development agency. Part public entity and part private sector, the Economic Council drives growth and prosperity in the most economically important county in Missouri....
(SLCEC) - St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth AssociationRegional Chamber and Growth AssociationThe St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association is the chamber of commerce and primary economic development agency for Metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri....
(RCGA) - World Trade Center - Saint Louis
In 1979, the first sister-city relationship between the U.S. and the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
was established between St. Louis and Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
.
Industry Business Councils
In December 2009, the Midwest-China Hub Commission and RCGA convened eight industry-specific China Business Councilsto gain feedback from local businesses and leaders, help broaden the base of regional knowledge, and catalogue the breadth of business already occurring between the Saint Louis region and China. The Councils help to identify new opportunities for regional trade and backhaul.
EB-5 Visas
As part of a strategy to encourage foreign investment in the St. Louis region and support international operations, the Midwest-China Hub Commission plans to establish an EB-5 regional center in the greater St. Louis area. The U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services EB-5 visaEB-5 visa
The EB-5 visa for Immigrant Investors is a United States visa created by the Immigration Act of 1990. This visa provides a method of obtaining a green card for foreign nationals who invest money in the United States. To obtain the visa, individuals must invest $1,000,000 , creating or preserving...
program requires potential investors to make qualifying investments ($500,000 or $1,000,000 minimums) and directly or indirectly create or save ten jobs.
The Gateway to the Midwest Investment Center (GMIC) became a non-profit EB-5 Regional Center as of September 27, 2010. Currently, the GMIC is not approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but will gain designation in 2011.
Timeline of events
- February 2008: Ambassador Zhou WenzhongZhou WenzhongZhou Wenzhong is a Chinese diplomat and fomer ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States of America from March 2005 to 2010.-Biography:...
meets with St. Louis business and political leaders
- March 2008: Missouri Congressional and Trade Delegation visits China to sign MOUs
- April 2008: China's Minister of Foreign Affairs Li ZhaoxingLi ZhaoxingLi Zhaoxing is a former foreign minister of the People's Republic of China. He held that office from 2003 to 2007.He graduated from Peking University in 1964...
, (Chinese: 李肇星), visits the St. Louis region
- June 2008: China's Vice Premier Wang Qishan, (Chinese: 王岐山), visits the Midwest to expand agricultural trade and investment
- January 2009: Ambassador Zhou WenzhongZhou WenzhongZhou Wenzhong is a Chinese diplomat and fomer ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States of America from March 2005 to 2010.-Biography:...
and Missouri leaders establish the Midwest-China Hub Commission. The Commission receives an Economic Development AdministrationEconomic Development AdministrationThe Economic Development Administration is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides grants to economically distressed communities to generate new employment, help retain existing jobs and stimulate industrial and commercial growth.-History:The EDA was established under...
(EDA) grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce
- February 2009: St. Louis County Port Authority receives approval to expand the Foreign Trade ZoneForeign trade zoneA foreign-trade zone in the United States is a geographical area, in United States Ports of Entry Ports of Entry, where commercial merchandise, both domestic and foreign receives the same Customs treatment it would if it were outside the commerce of the United States...
at Lambert-St. Louis International AirportLambert-St. Louis International AirportLambert-St. Louis International Airport is a Class B international airport serving Greater St. Louis. It is located approximately northwest of downtown St. Louis in unincorporated St. Louis County between Berkeley and Bridgeton. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state with 250 daily...
- March 2009: The Commission travels to and establishes offices in Beijing
- May 2009: The Commission hosts the China Investment Promotion AgencyChina Investment Promotion AgencyChina Investment Promotion Agency is the investment promotion agency of PR China. It is in charge of "Inviting in" and "Going global" two-way investment promotion work in line with China's economic strategies and is engaged in cooperation with international economic organisations, foreign...
(CIPA), (Chinese: 商务部投资促进事务局), to discuss investment and trade opportunities
- November 2009: The MCHC is awarded a $1.1 million grant from the State of Missouri to develop air freight for the initiative
- December 2009: Ambassador Zhou WenzhongZhou WenzhongZhou Wenzhong is a Chinese diplomat and fomer ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States of America from March 2005 to 2010.-Biography:...
hosts the Commission at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
- January 2010: The Commission hosts a freight forwarding event at Lambert-St. Louis International AirportLambert-St. Louis International AirportLambert-St. Louis International Airport is a Class B international airport serving Greater St. Louis. It is located approximately northwest of downtown St. Louis in unincorporated St. Louis County between Berkeley and Bridgeton. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state with 250 daily...
to discuss backhaul
- February 2010: Ambassador Zhou WenzhongZhou WenzhongZhou Wenzhong is a Chinese diplomat and fomer ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States of America from March 2005 to 2010.-Biography:...
visits St. Louis and Jefferson City to demonstrate continued commitment to the MCHC
- March 2010: The Midwest-China Hub Commission travels to China to begin preliminary airfreight negotiations
- May 2010: The RCGA hosted the China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) delegation of some 25 biotech companies and investors from throughout China for meetings with bi-state St. Louis plant and life sciences and other business and governmental leaders
- June 2010: Midwest China Hub Commission travels to Shanghai to meet with the Chinese shippers community
- August/September 2010: Republican Senator Kit Bond and Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, joined by the members of the Midwest China Hub Commission, led a week-long mission of business, labor, civic, and governmental leaders to Beijing and Shanghai. The delegation met with Civil Aviation Administration of China, China Air Transport Association, Chinese airlines, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development & Reform Commission, Shanghai Municipal Government, and Shanghai Municipal Commission of Agriculture. Chinese aviation officials signed an agreement that frames the final issues to be negotiated to establish the Cargo Hub at Lambert International Airport.
- Chinese aviation officials with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) (Chinese: 中国民用航空局) and the China Air Transport Association (CATA) (Chinese: 中国航空运输协会) made a commitment to review and assess St. Louis as a potential cargo hub destination with a visit to St. Louis from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5th, 2010.
External links
- Missouri Department of Economic Development, http://www.ded.mo.gov
- St. Louis County, http://www.co.st-louis.mo.us
- City of St. Louis, http://stlouis.missouri.org
- Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, http://www.flystl.com
- Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, http://www.mochamber.com
- St. Louis County Economic Council, http://www.slcec.com
- St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), http://www.stlrcga.org
- St. Charles County, http://www.sccmo.org
- Partners for Progress, http://www.partnersforprogress.com
- Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), http://www.modot.mo.gov
- Civic Progress, http://civicprogressstl.org
- Missouri Partnership, http://www.missouripartnership.com
- World Trade Center - Saint Louis, http://www.worldtradecenter-stl.com
- Spectrum Consulting Group, LLC, http://www.spectrumcgllc.com
- The 48 Group Club, http://www.48groupclub.org
- London Export Corporation (LEC), http://www.londonexportcorporation.com
- AeroStrata, http://aerostrata.org