Mr. Thomson, please tell us a little about your background.
Most of my professional career has been spent working on, or in, China. I became interested in Chinese language after a visit to Taiwan in the 1960’s, and later studied Chinese in college and in Taiwan. I spent over 25 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, and was in Taiwan three times for a total of 12 years. I worked in Beijing for three years, just as we established diplomatic relations with China in 1979. I reported on developments at Democracy Wall and participated in negotiations for many of the treaties and agreements to build a framework for our relations with China. Prior to opening up the Chicago China Office in Shanghai this year, I worked for four years at Tsinghua University in Beijing directing a Chinese-language study program for American graduate students and professionals.

What is your connection to Chicago?
I worked as Managing Editor at China Online, a Chicago-based China business information service for three years in 1998-2001. I was active on the Chicago China Sister-City Committee and got to know Chicago’s business and professional community, especially those persons with a China connection. I know from personal experience that Chicago is a great place to live and work.

Why have you been drawn to China?
China now is an enormously exciting place, with a five-thousand year old civilization and 1.3 billion people in the midst of the most rapid economic growth and social change ever experienced, all on an unprecedented scale. When I first came to work in China in 1978, apartments, food and other goods were tightly rationed; incomes were incredibly low; people waited months to buy even a bicycle; travel was strictly controlled; and all people were assigned to their jobs by the state, in some cases for life. Now young people worry mostly about not having the latest cell phone or car, making mortgage payments on their new condo, or finding a good-paying job. I feel fortunate to have seen at firsthand the dramatic economic growth and social changes in both Taiwan and the Mainland.

What do you hope to accomplish through the CCEDC?
China’s economy has grown rapidly, thanks in large part to foreign investment. Now Chinese companies are in the first stages of a government-mandated push to invest aboard. Much of my work here with the CCEDC will be to establish productive relationships with Chinese government officials at all levels, industry associations, key media, and individual firms, in order to increase Chinese awareness of Chicago as an ideal place to operate businesses, and to help them invest there. I will also work with Chicago firms to facilitate their doing business with China, and help to promote educational and cultural exchanges.

What do you see are the biggest obstacles for the CCEDC?
The biggest challenge will be to raise Chinese awareness of Chicago beyond Michael Jordan. Most Chinese seem to know about Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington D.C., and Las Vegas. However, the Mid-West and Chicago are a mystery for them, and we have to overcome that. The other challenge is to identify, prioritize and deal effectively with the huge number of Chinese companies, spread over an area as large as the U.S., that may want to invest overseas, while also providing support and advice for Chicago companies who want to do business with China.

Do you see Chicago as having an advantage in China?
Chicago has some key advantages, e.g. a beautiful city, a central location for logistics and travel, concentrated and comprehensive business and professional services, a business-friendly government, and talented, hard-working people. We have several large Chinese firms already established in Chicago, e.g. Wanxiang America, a branch of the largest auto parts maker in China which has grown exponentially. We also have a Chicago Club in Shanghai with over 300 members, and many Chinese studied at Chicago schools, and I hope to utilize those connections. Most Chinese businessmen may have heard of Chicago, but many don’t have a clear impression of it.

What do you anticipate your job entailing on a daily basis?
Everyday I have to monitor several key Chinese media to obtain information to identify which major Chinese firms are likely to invest in the U.S., to find out about government-sponsored trade and investment forums and conferences, and to look for business opportunities for Chicago firms. I will also meet with Chinese firms and call on government officials in major cities in China to build good personal relationships, which are key to doing business in China. Preparing industry specific marketing materials will also be an important part of the job, in addition to responding promptly to inquiries and requests from Chicago.

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