USHCA Leadership’s Outlook for 2022 – Amb. Quinn
As we begin the year 2022, I am focused on the fact that February 15 – 16 will mark the 10th anniversary of then Vice President Xi Jinping’s historic return to the American Heartland.
During that trip, President Xi first visited the home of Sarah Lande in Muscatine, Iowa, one of the individuals who had welcomed him in 1985 when, as a county level official from Hebei Province, he made his first visit to the United States.
Vice President Xi then came to Des Moines for a “state dinner” at the magnificent Iowa State Capitol hosted by Governor (and future Ambassador to China) Terry Branstad.
Together for a Shared Future
There is clear competition between authoritarianism and liberal democracy. More specifically, competition between the U.S. and China. The pretext about a “win-win” relationship between the two has been snuffed out like an old cigarette butt, scuffed into the pavement of history in 2021.
FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO A 4-YEAR DEGREE, A PATH WITH MANY BENEFITS
Learn about the immediate and long-term benefits of a community-college education, and how this path can provide a better opportunity to be accepted to a higher-ranked college/university from which the student will receive their diploma. Hear from 3 excellent U.S. community colleges and the transfer officials from some of the 4-year universities they each provide a pathway to. Students who attended community college before transferring to a 4-year college will talk about their experiences. A Q&A will provide the opportunity to ask questions of the community colleges, transfer officials, and students. Based upon interest, a virtual fair with the opportunity to personally meet with various community colleges will be offered as a follow-up. Brought to you by the United States Heartland China Association, which fosters and supports a positive, productive, and mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and China by promoting exchanges in culture, education, and business.
Does China’s President Xi Jinping Have a “Mandate from Heaven?”
Oh, how things have changed in China. The rise of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) the past one hundred years has been brutal, offensive, uplifting, inspiring and as oppressive as it has been impressive at times. The CCP’s powerful Central Committee has passed a resolution that is expected to enhance President Xi Jinping’s grip on power as the 21st century unfolds. The resolution calls Xi’s ideology is “the epitome of the Chinese culture and soul.”
I have been an observer and at times a small participant in the changes in China having a lifelong interest in all things China and have traveled extensively across the country for the past 30 plus years.
Forty five years ago, Deng Xiaoping introduced major economic reforms–lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and leading to it becoming the second-largest economy in the world, a superpower and has both economic and military muscle to flex on the global stage.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Will Boost Heartland Exporters
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, signed into law on November 15, brings much needed—albeit long overdue—relief and forward looking investments. The deal includes $42 billion for ports and airports and $66 billion in passenger and freight rail. According to the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors, the bill will provide up to $78 billion over five years to address the interconnected system that moves freight across the country.
Denver-Kunming Sister Cities Celebration
First established in 1986, the Denver-Kunming Sister City relationship has thrived in the past 25 years thanks to dedicated bridge builders from both cities. Even though the pandemic has significantly impacted in-person cultural exchanges, the friendship of the two cities continues thanks to technologies that connect us.
In this special event themed – Gateway to Outdoor Adventure – both cities will celebrate their shared love for natural beauty and outdoor activities. Speakers from both cities will share how each city protects the natural beauty of their cities, supports outdoor recreation and tourism while instilling a love of the outdoors in youth.
USHCA named outstanding partner 2021
USHCA was named outstanding partner 2021 by the CGCC Chicago.
To Compete with China, Invest in America
The US has been the undisputed ‘world champ’ economy since the end of WW11. Do we wish to remain in the number one spot? Then it is time to stop whining and complaining about China and start investing in our country and the American people.
To be clear, the Chinese government’s main goal is to restore their country to its historical greatness – a return to wealth, power, and world prestige. This point was driven home in Michael Schumann’s new book: Superpower Interrupted. The book offers atypical insights for understanding China’s place in the world, especially the drive to “Make China Great Again.”
USHCA and Strategic Advisor Amb. Kenneth Quinn Mentioned in NPR Article
Strategic Advisor Amb. (ret.) Kenneth Quinn was interviewed on NPR October 8th, 2021 regarding agriculture in the Heartland.
Return of McCarthyism?
At this time of political divide in America and tension between the U.S. and China, many symbols of the Cold War era are coming to haunt us today. From the Justice Department’s much criticized China Initiative to the re-emergence of McCarthyism in America, there are alarming signs that, if we are not careful, our country may once again go down a troubling path, especially for Chinese Americans who are stuck in the middle.
What lessons can we learn from the past that can help us prevent a repeat of policies and rise of demagogues that will lead our country down a path of ruin? US Heartland China Association and our partner United Chinese Americans jointly invite two award-winning American authors to share their thoughts on this important topic.
2021 Presidential Youth Leadership Initiative Reflection
During the summer of my freshman year at college, I was taking a career preparation course and the instructor asked all of us a novel and provoking question: “What’s your epitaph after death?” I thought twice and gave my answer: “To burn passion for an admirable cause.” This answer aligns with the goal I chose before entering the college, which refers to a sentence from a Chinese writer Zhiyuan Xu: “Students learn from the books in the high school. When they enter the college, they should broaden their vision and learn from everywhere.”
Hainan: China’s Hawaii and World’s Largest Free Trade Zone
Is Hainan the next Singapore? Or a newer and bigger one? Questions like these have been bubbling up ever since Hainan Province, China’s only tropical island, became China’s largest Free Trade Zone. Often referred to as the “Hawaii of the Orient”, Hainan is not only the world’s most dynamic tourism destination with a projected 80 million Chinese domestic visitors alone in 2021 but also the largest “lab” of the latest sustainable development experiment of the Chinese government.