This is a sampling of Cecily Burt’s Oakland Tribune Outtakes blog (IBAbuzz.com/outtakes) following Mayor Jean Quan’s travels to China:
May 9
Jet Lag: Oakland Mayor Jean Quan is human after all. She admitted she was finally feeling the effects of jet lag midday Monday after arriving Saturday in Beijing and embarking on a flurry of meetings with the Hainan Group and the American Chamber. But that didn’t stop her from writing and posting her weekly newsletter in the few precious hours of “down time” she will likely enjoy on her jam-packed trade mission to China.
Quan is there to promote Oakland’s port and city as a good place to do business.
She said it’s clear that Chinese people are investing in the United States, but she is “struck by the variety of investments” they are interested in.
“We’re really learning how to market Oakland, not just the port, but everything,” Quan said during a call to her hotel in Beijing late Sunday night (around noon Monday in Beijing).
“The Chinese aren’t just interested in ships. I’d like to see if they are interesting in buying or building hotels. Nothing substitutes for talking to someone and feeling out the possibilities.”
Quan said her presence as the first Chinese-American (and woman) mayor of Oakland seems to hold a special significance for older Chinese, who have been following her story in the Chinese media and have been telling her how proud they are of her.
Next up: Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
May 6
Jean Quan, the Energizer Bunny for Oakland: Quan wasted no time reaching out to Chinese officials in Beijing when she landed there Saturday to embark on a three-city trade mission with Oakland City Council President Larry Reid, Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin and other of the port’s seaport and airport officials.
Quan met with the chairman of the HNA Group, which owns Hainan Airlines, hotels and other businesses. She wants to bring the airline to Oakland, and perhaps convince the company to build hotels and use Oakland as its hub for foreign tourism to Northern California.
Quan said her meeting with the chairman was the “first of many conversations with business and political leaders in China about investing and trading with the Port of Oakland. The Port currently exports red wine, organic produce and other goods to China, and we’re hoping to strengthen that relationship,” Quan said in her Facebook posting.
Next up, more meetings in Beijing on Monday, then off to Shenzhen on Tuesday, followed by a ferry ride to Hong Kong on Wednesday. The port is paying for the trip, which is estimated at $9,000 per person. Multiply by 12 people, and that’s $108,000. The money is coming from an enterprise fund amassed to generate new business for the Port of Oakland. There are no taxpayer funds being spent, said Marilyn Sandifur, port spokeswoman.
May 6
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan leads trade mission to China: Quan and Reid jetted off to Beijing this a.m. on a whirlwind trade mission to China with Port of Oakland officials. They hope to drum up new business and expand partnerships with Chinese companies.
They’ll spend a week making stops in three cities: Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. They’re saving the fun for last, when they visit a California wine bar and restaurant in Hong Kong to promote Oakland wineries. A case of Oakland wine has been shipped ahead and will be served when the mayor and her entourage visit on Thursday. Check back for updates to find out what’s in the case.
