China foray pleases Huntsman

SHANGHAI — There's a hand-carved wooden sign in Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s formal office in the Utah Capitol that spells out his philosophy about doing business in China.

You ban fa, it reads in both Chinese characters and the Pinyin alphabet, a phrase that literally means "have method." It's a play on a traditional Chinese phrase that suggests something simply cannot be done.

"Find a way to get things done," is how Huntsman translated his version during a presentation last week in Shanghai at an AmCham, or American Chamber of Commerce, reception for his trade mission to China.

It was what some 19 representatives of Utah-based businesses and higher education institutions were trying to do the past week in China, with the help of a governor who not only speaks the language but also served as a diplomat in the region.

Only a few years ago, he was negotiating trade agreements with China as a U.S. trade representative. On this trip, which ends with his return to Utah today, Huntsman met with U.S. and Chinese officials in both Beijing and Shanghai, often accompanied by members of the delegation.

"I'd have to say this was what I'd consider to be a successful foray," the governor told the Deseret Morning News before leaving China. "I do believe we influenced some opinion leaders. We left a positive impression about the state."

For companies and campuses eager to tap a market that's 1.3 billion people strong, the trip offered access to leaders in both the political and economic capitals of this communist nation. Some companies also arranged for private meetings with local businesses through the U.S. government's Foreign Commercial Service.

The price tag for each member of the delegation ranged from about $1,900 to $3,500 plus airfare, depending on how many days they participated, according to Brett Heimburger, Asia director for the governor's office of economic development. Huntsman also paid his own way, but the state covered the costs of five members of his staff, including Heimburger.

"The best way to measure the success of a trade mission like this is to talk to the companies," Heimburger said. "We've had a lot of great feedback."

Nigel Duncan, executive vice president of Zero Corp., said the North Salt Lake-based container manufacturer best-known for its metal briefcases, "now definitely will include China as a major part of our strategic expansion plan for Asia in the future" as a result of his participating in the mission.