On November 12, Zhou Qiang, Deputy Secretary of CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and Hunan Governor, meets with Clark T. Randt, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to China and his party in Changsha, hoping to further promote cooperation between Hunan and the United States in various areas such as economy, science and technology, education, culture and IP.

Mr. Zhou says that the exchange between Hunan and the United States has a history of nearly 100 years. In recent years, cooperation in economic sector and IP keep expanding, such as the cooperation between U.S. Timken Company and Hunan Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Group Corporation Ltd. in producing bearings for wind turbines and the cooperation between the U.S. Battelle Memorial Institute with Hunan-based Central South University in commercializing IPs and protecting IPRs. Meanwhile, Perot Systems Corporation of the United States will also establish a branch in Changsha. Hunan Province has a solid foundation in engineering machinery, agriculture and culture. The province is also currently facing the opportunity of the national strategy of the Rise of Central China Region and the construction of the energy-saving and environmental-friendly society of the city cluster of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan. Mr. Zhou notes that Hunan will pay more attention to creating a sound environment for IPR protection, and he hopes Mr. Randt can introduce and encourage more U.S. enterprises to invest in Hunan.

Mr. Randt says that he personally experiences the charm of Hunan during this visit to the province. He notes that he will introduce Hunan to people from industry and commerce circle in the United States through various channels so as to encourage more U.S. enterprises to seek investment and development opportunities in Hunan.

Both parties also discuss the strategy of the rise of Central China region, IPR protection and expansions of cooperation areas between Hunan and the United States.