REPORT of NWCHP event - 9/15/2000 visit from Mayor of Suzhou, China

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note: the report below is used under written permission from Mr. Michael Chugani, the report was carried in South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com)

Suzhou mayor urges US IT experts to return home

MICHAEL CHUGANI in Seattle

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A top Chinese official has urged mainland hi-tech professionals working in the United States to return home and help speed up the country's information technology revolution.
The mayor of Suzhou, Chen Deming, said overseas Chinese were highly sought after in the mainland's hi-tech centres.

He promised jobs and business opportunities in Suzhou to those willing to give up their well-paid positions and comfortable lifestyles in the US.

He conceded that while the Suzhou hi-tech experience would be rewarding, it may not be as lucrative for those who choose to return.

"But money should not be the only motivation," he said, suggesting that mainlanders should use the skills they acquired to develop China's hi-tech industry.

He said their know-how of Western business models would lead to plentiful business opportunities.

Speaking last week in Seattle to a packed audience of Chinese hi-tech professionals, many of whom work for Microsoft, Mr. Chen said even Hong Kong's Richard Li had pumped venture capital into Suzhou - home to one of the mainland's most advanced industrial parks which was jointly developed with Singapore.

He said US, European and Japanese firms already had invested more than US$7 billion in Suzhou's hi-tech sector.

Using slides to showcase the attractions Suzhou had to offer, Mr. Chen said the area has advantages over nearby Shanghai because of lower labour costs and a lower population, which meant a better environment.

But he insisted his mission to the US was not to compete with Shanghai's efforts to lure back talented mainlanders.

"We have good co-operation with Shanghai," he said.

Mr. Chen listed three options for those who agreed to go to Suzhou - starting their own hi-tech companies, working for established firms, or working for the government.

He said Suzhou already had attracted more than 7,000 foreign firms, some of which had job openings for returning mainlanders with hi-tech experience.

He said the Suzhou government would offer tax and financial incentives to those who wanted to start firms.

Carol Lin, vice-chairman of the Northwest Chinese High-tech Professionals Association which organized the event, said the initiative came from Mr. Chen and his visiting delegation.

"They wanted to meet with hi-tech professionals here," Ms Lin said.

Many in the audience expressed in interest in returning if the right opportunity arose.

"I think it is possible I will go back, not right now but I will certainly consider it," said 34- year-old Sean Shi, who left Suzhou for the US seven years ago and now works for Microsoft.

"A lot of us feel we want to do something for the country. Microsoft treats me very good, but I can't say I will stay forever."

Tony Liu, 36, another Microsoft employee who is also from Suzhou, said he was back there for a visit just two weeks ago and really liked it.

"I have been trying to look for opportunities. I can transfer my expertise to Suzhou. I don't want to work for Microsoft forever," he said. "I've been there 10 years already."

David Zhang, 32, another hi-tech professional who left his native Shanghai for the US five years ago said some estimates showed about 40 per cent of Chinese in the US hoped to one day return home.

"I believe most want to go back, but in reality many are not doing so because their families are here and they also wonder if business opportunities are good," Mr. Zhang said.

Wayne Lee, 36, who left Harbin for the US seven years ago, and now works for Boeing after a time with IBM, said that while many mainlanders wanted to return and help their motherland, their prime consideration was whether they could still make money if they went back.