Chicago Mayor Daley to Visits China, Eyes Investments, Tourists

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Daley said he wants to raise Chicago's profile, as center of international commerce, and make the city "the most China-Friendly" metropolis in the U.S., adding that he welcomes Chinese investments in infrastructure projects, including the proposed rapid-transit system to and from O'Hare International Airport.

"We have a great friendship, I believe, and heart for China, and we want to build good friendship and ties with them," Daley told Xinhua, pointing to Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Chicago last January, as evidence of that close relationship.

Daley said he wants more Chinese technology and manufacturing companies to set up operation in Chicago, citing the city's strategic location, access to transportation, and "great skilled workforce" from prestigious universities here and other Midwest states.

"We're looking at technology industry, manufacturing with technology, which is really important; as well as corporate headquarters that they can go from any place in the world right from Chicago, [and] any place in America, as we have great transportation system out of O'Hare and Midway Airport," Chicago's mayor for the last 22 years said.

Asked whether he is open to Chinese investments to improve the train system here, Daley was emphatic: "Yes, definitely we will. They have expertise. They have already made, [or] making presentations. We look forward to their investment that want to rebuild our city, and put people back to work."

Weaving the theme of the campaign, "Chicago: The Heart of America," into the conversation, Daley also said he wants more Chinese citizens to visit the Windy City, and experience the American heartland. And with the opening later this year of Cathay Pacific's nonstop Hong Kong-Chicago flights, that aspiration of boosting tourism moves closer to reality.

"It's an immigrant city, so we really welcome people from around the world. And it's part of the great fabric that we have in Chicago," the mayor said.

Currently, there are almost 7,000 Chinese students enrolled in colleges in Chicago and the state of Illinois. Chicago is also home to two Confucius Institutes, at Walter Payton College Prep High School and at the University of Chicago.

With high unemployment and a huge budget deficit, manufacturing and tourism would be a boost to the Chicago economy. Only last week, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Chicago area unemployment in January was at 9.4 percent, down from 11.6 percent last year. Chicago's budget deficit also hovers around 500 to 600 million U.S. dollars, according to various news stories.

For this trip, his fifth visit to China, Daley will travel with a business and civic delegation, to meet with Chinese public and business leaders in Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Chongqing and Hong Kong, from March 18 to 30.

"We're gonna have some good news on this trip," Daley told Xinhua.

Later, at a press conference announcing the "Chicago-China Friendship Initiative" at the Skidmore, Owings and Merill (SOM) headquarters, Daley told reporters, "There has never been a better time to expand the City's connections with China. No other American city is so committed to a long-term strategy of friendship and cooperation with China as Chicago."

SOM, the Chicago architectural, engineering and design firm which built the iconic Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, has worked on more than 150 projects in more than 30 Chinese cities.

Through this latest roadshow to China, a multi-pronged campaign that includes video presentations re-packaged from the 2016 Olympics campaign, Daley hopes to replicate the success of SOM and other Chicago-based corporations in China.

Recently, Chicago-based Groupon started service in Beijing and Shanghai, and on March 7, Air China placed orders for five 747-8 passenger jets from Chicago-based Boeing. In Tianjin, Chicago- based designer Goettsch Partners is set to complete in 2015, one of the tallest buildings in China.

Meanwhile, here in Chicago, Chinese companies like Goldwind, a top wind power firm, set up shop in downtown Chicago last year.

A Chinese telecom company will also reportedly announce that it will expand its local presence and open a permanent office in Chicago this year, according to the Chicago Mayor's Office.

Daley is considered as one of the most environment-friendly mayors in the U.S. Through this trip, his last as Chicago mayor, he said he also wants to share with his Chinese counterparts the lessons learned about protecting the environment.

As Chinese cities grow, they are also confronted with many environmental problems such as pollution and congestion.

"I think nature can co-exist in big cities," Daley emphasized to Xinhua. "Whether it's environmental parks, whether it's parks, nature areas -- you have to build that in the context of the city.

Framing the issue in practical terms, he said, "It doesn't cost you more money. And the end result, it saves lives, it saves company's money."

For instance in Chonqing, a city the Wall Street Journal compared to Chicago, it is experiencing rapid economic growth as well as increase in population. Natural gas and petrochemical industries have also put pressure on its environment.

Daley said, cities like Chonqing can learn from the experience of Chicago in the aspect of environmental protection.

"If we can save people from the mistakes we made in the past in the Industrial Revolution [in America], why should we allow China to make those mistakes? You're gonna save your brothers and sisters in China and the rest of the world. So it's in our best interest that we basically work with them to protect their environment," he said.

As he officially leaves office on May 16, Daley hinted that he will continue to help promote Chicago to investors here and abroad, saying, "I will do anything for this city, in regards to creating jobs and opportunities for people in the city."

He said he wants the world to see Chicago, as a "great city" with a "Midwestern values that welcomes immigrants, and welcomes change."

"Chicago is always changing. And that's what's unique about Chicago, we don't live in the past, we always live in the future," Daley told Xinhua.

Source: Chinaview