Showing posts with label China Speakers Bureau. Michael Justin Lee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China Speakers Bureau. Michael Justin Lee. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

The lack of value of the 2013 APEC summit - Michael Justin Lee

Michael Justin Lee
Michael Justin Lee
Media have been pushing the idea the China's president Xi Jinping filled the vacuum US president Barack Obama left by not attending the 2013 APEC Summit. Lecturer Michael Justin Lee is not convinced the summit adds that much value. He offers to draft a statement for the summit in the Washington Times.

Michael Justin Lee:
For that matter, one could issue one [statement] now on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders to give reporters a jump on their coverage. Here it is: “We remain committed to the principles of economic cooperation, cross-border investment and trade liberalization, and pledge our mutual support for the achievement of global peace and prosperity.” Not too bad, eh? Took all of sixty seconds. 
The business world knows all about client relations. But for goodness’ sake, with all that meeting convening, when does any work get done? But maybe the conclusion is right before us. Although the world economy is definitely not back to full strength, it is also definitely no longer flat on the canvas. If the major economies were able to achieve this by sending these grandees out and away to issue bland and trite declarations, then consider how much better they could do by thinking up even more such events for them to attend. 
That said, maybe we do want President Obama to attend meetings like this after all. And Vice President Biden too. And how about Treasury Secretary Jack Lew? The more the merrier. 
How about sending them all to the Atlantic-Pacific Business and Economic Forum? Or to the Euro-American Governmental Chamber of Prosperity? Or to the Seven Continents’ Global Prosperity Caucus? 
Never mind what they talk about. Just imagine all the economic benefit to the hosting city just from sales at the souvenir concessions and hot dog stands. That benefit alone may make these endeavors worthwhile.
More in the Washington Times.

Michael Justin Lee is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

China Weekly Hangout

What can China learn from Singapore on sustainability? Join the +China Weekly Hangout  where Shanghai-based sustainability expert +Richard Brubaker   will share his recent experiences in Singapore on Thursday 10 October. You can read our initial announcement here, or register for participation here. Moderation by +Fons Tuinstra of the China Speakers Bureau.

Visas are an important tool to strengthen trade, but since China introduced new visa on September 1, the world is still trying to figure out how they work. Ambiguity is the word Beijing-based lawyer +Gary Chodorow uses most when talking about the new visas in China, on the +China Weekly Hangout on September 12. What to do with spouses, interns, people with F-visas and other visitors who are not allowed to work. Moderation by +Fons Tuinstra of the China Speakers Bureau.
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