I have been actively involved in AmCham China since the organization was first established informally in the early 1980’s, and I am proud of the role the organization has played in serving the American business community and representing the community in interactions with the Chinese and U.S. governments, media, and others. I have served on the AmCham China board for many years, chaired several AmCham China committees, and served as Vice Chairman in the late 1990’s and then as Chairman during 2000 and 2001 when AmCham China played an important role in supporting China’s admission into the WTO. When I served in Washington as the Assistant USTR responsible for China (2005-10), I met regularly with AmCham and referred often to AmCham’s White Paper as I set priorities for U.S. government negotiations with China on trade and investment issues. Before that, as Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs in the U.S. Embassy (1989-92), I served as an ex officio member of the AmCham China Board and arranged for the U.S. ambassador to give monthly briefings to the AmCham membership.
I currently lead AmCham China’s Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) Task Force. I believe that the ongoing treaty negotiations between the U.S. and China present a once-in-a-generation opportunity for American companies to address some of their longstanding concerns about the business environment in China, and I am committed to help members understand how they can take full advantage of this opportunity. I hope you will give me the opportunity to serve once again as a member of the AmCham board.