Maria DaCosta, PhD, Professor of Economics, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, who not only teaches and does research on China, but have herself lived and taught in China and Taiwan, will talk on:

China’s major economic challenges ahead are:  maintain a high growth economy as to absorb the workers that are being released from agriculture; reduce the growing income disparities and resulting rural discontentment; restructure the non-profitable state-owned enterprises; strengthen the banking system; and reduce the environmental costs.

Jules Chan, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, who has published extensively on the socio-political phenomena in Asia, will focus on:

Social political developments among the Pacific rim countries, particularly in relation the rising importance of China as economic and military power in the east Asia region. What are the implications for US companies wanting to do business with China and its neighbors?

Jianjun Ji, PhD, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, whose research  interest  include  demographical studies of China and its aging population. He will focus on:

The challenges of China’s population growth problem and the family planning program that the government is enforcing to counter this challenge. How would this impact on China’s capability as a source of cheap labor, and its potential as an emerging market for western consumer goods?

Michael Webb, President of Beijing U-Fuel and Shidao Webb School (as well as other international and domestic companies).  He holds over 20 domestic and international patents including Chinese patents. He will touch on:

Forming business entities in foreign countries; What are the key import and export issues for Wisconsin businesses and manufacturers? What are the key currency exchange issues? The challenge of intellectual property protection in China.

Wendy Chen-DongLai, Owner-Manager DNC Design. She operates an Eau Claire-based small business that trades with China. Her will talk from a Small-to-Medium Enterprise (SME) perspective:

How to source goods and products from China? Where to look for a manufacturer to produce products made exclusively for you? The dos and don’ts of how to import goods and products from China.