inside amcham f ro m t h e c h a i r
A Historical Milestone The World Bank recently published its extensive report on world poverty, measured over a 30 period from 1981 to the present. It found that the world’s poor have been reduced from approximately 1.9 billion in 1981 to a dramatically lower 700 million in 2012. However, to me, the most amazing feature of their study is that an astounding 95 percent, or roughly 700 million people, who have moved from below the poverty line to the beginning of middle class incomes are all from China. Simply put, the rest of the world has largely stood still in eradicating poverty, while China has done all of the heavy lifting in the past three decades. Now let’s turn to the role of American business in this historical economic milestone. How many of the companies t h at you re pre s e nt , w h e t h e r l arge multinationals or SMEs, have contributed to this story? While I do not possess any specific studies that link American business to the rise of China’s middle class, I know that as a group American industry deserves an Academy Award for best supporting actor in the creation of the world’s largest middle-class economy. It is reflected in many ways-in our annual Business Climate Survey, in the growing number of members in AmCham Shanghai and in the products and services that contribute daily to the lives of the Chinese people. Lest I be accused of chauvinism, I do not ignore our friends from Europe, Japan or other countries. It is simply that I have witnessed, over 30 years, the work that Americans and Chinese have performed successfully in building a great economy. Turning to other topics, it is always a sad moment to say farewell to someone we respect. Having received the news of
Robert Theleen Chair of the Board of Governors
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insight
december 2013
Ambassador Gary Locke’s stepping down from this important post, and on behalf of everyone at AmCham, we appreciate his considerable efforts to support AmCham Shanghai in many ways. In addition to his attendance at our annual Shanghai G over nment Appreciat ion Dinner, Ambassador Locke reached out to so many important organizations and individuals in support of AmCham Shanghai’s new SME Center website. His enthusiasm for American business was demonstrated in his leverage of his knowledge, as Secretary of Commerce, in assisting American exporters and investors during his years here. On behalf of AmCham Shanghai and the Board of Governors, we wish Ambassador Locke and his family our best wishes and we hope that he will continue to be an outstanding friend of AmCham in the future. It is also the season to reflect on the past year and to thank all of you who have contributed to the success of AmCham. We had a record number of members voting for our new Board of Governors with 22 candidates who took the time and effort to run for election. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to those of you who did not win, and we hope you will run again next year. The American business community in China has contributed greatly to the lives of so many people in this great country in the form of great products, services and technology. It is also a tradition of our members who, both as corporations as well as through individual effort, contribute in t ime and in mone y to t he lo ca l communities in which they operate. Wishing you, your families and friends a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and a happy holiday season.