In the lower left hand corner of the picture, next to me, is my mentor, John
Hsueh-
li Cheng. He is precisely why I do the Symposium. Oh sure there are lots of reasons but when push came to shove, John
Cheng told me, "You have to go and live in China, then you will understand." Dr.
Cheng was right. I moved to China and still live there. Part of my heart is always in China with my dear friends and colleagues all over the Land of the Dragon. I have been blessed with the extraordinary opportunity to catch a glimpse of the dragon waking up and coming alive after a long snooze. And wow, there is nothing like it. Hawaii allows us to bring aloha into your hearts with fun activities like the Saturday night Bash in Waikiki, the Chinese film night, and the Sunset Closing Banquet. Memories that will last forever WITH OUR OHANA!
I produce the Symposium for our growing international community with deep roots in Hawaii and China. One of the most interesting aspects of Hawaiian culture is the never-ending Chinese connection. A greater cooperative effort is possible in Hawaii between the US and China for precisely these types of inter-cultural connections historically. The 21st Century China Symposium opens the door with aloha and casual elegance for just such a possibility. After all, The theme for this year's symposium is "Increasing Trust in US-China Relations." Of course it takes all of us, our entire city, state, nation, and world, to effect such change, but Hawaii is a perfect place to be some small part of the whole. The tropical nature of paradise can give us a chance to share local values such as aloha and sharing.
As we enter this final phase before the 2009 Symposium, I look back on the new century and what has happened. It has been fulfilling, more than any other description. To know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing is a completely peaceful assurance. We welcome your support and participation. Please know that we do not take any of it for granted. We are grateful for the opportunity to present experts like Dan
Piccuta and others who will give us depth of perspective on how to best approach the new China.
I will emphasize the cultural connection. We are fortunate to be able to travel all over China through the years. As a country, China is exceedingly diverse with distinct regional and local personalities and this comes out as one travels.
We will engage in dialogue about many interrelated topics, such as the economy, the challenges of North Korea to the already strained relationship between the US and China, politics, human rights issues, doing business, living and working in 21st Century China, etc. We will also entertain your questions and comments within the context of topical references.
In the end I encourage you to do the same thing John
Cheng encouraged me to do: Come to our Symposium, and let us help you with aloha to become an essential part of our 21st Century China
Ohana!
Aloha and xie xie,
Don Eads
21st Century China Symposium
