Cover Story

Speak a Few Chinese Phrases

by Dan Redford
September 18, 2011

“It’s about time!”

That was my reaction when I heard that Governor Snyder was planning an official visit to China at the end of this month. Without trying to focus too much on the past, the lack of effort on the part of Michigan’s highest office to develop relations with China cost our state a great deal of business, progress and, yes, jobs.

During this trip Snyder has the opportunity to pave a new way for Michigan in China. Lucky for him, I’ve provided a few things the governor should keep in mind to make the most of his time here.

1. Qiezi! － Say Cheese! (Please check the end of this column for explanations and translations on Chinese words and phrases used in this column.)
   

   The Chinese love to take pictures, and the governor will be doing Michigan a favor by posing for photos with Michiganders and colleagues in China. Later, these pictures will go on the mantelpieces and desks of Michigan business leaders for them to show to their potential partners or clients in China. It sounds simple, but in a country where business really starts at the government level, it’s important for Michigan companies to show close ties with Michigan’s chief executive.
   

   At FirstPathway Partners, for example, we are always touting our support from state and city officials in Wisconsin. You can take a look at our website, which includes a video with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. It is essential for building business through trust and credibility in China.

2. Ni keyi shuo “ni hao” ma? — Learn a little Chinese.
   

   Surely, we all remember JFK’s historic appearance in Berlin where he uttered, “Ich bin ein Berliner” (“I am a Berliner”). The fact that we still remember what he said shows how meaningful it is to speak with people in their own language.
   

   In China, it goes even further. I cannot tell you how much quicker it is for me to build relations here when I can speak with the people in Mandarin.
   

   Do I expect Snyder to come to China speaking fluent Chinese? Of course not. But I would hope that when greeting officials and giving speeches, he will, like JFK, begin by addressing people with a Chinese hello.

3. Diaocha — Reconnaisance
   

   Snyder, no doubt, will be meeting with high-level officials here in China. As he builds trust with them (that will take a few more trips, by the way), he will be privy to valuable information on China’s current projects and plans for future development.
   

   Fast trains and solar power are just part of the massive development plans the central government has up its sleeve. Snyder should be able to learn about ways in which Michigan companies can provide useful services and products to help China reach its development goals. After the trip, the governor and the MEDC should powwow to discuss the best road ahead.

4. Mixigen daibiao — Michiganders already make waves in China
   

   The good news is that Michigan does not have to start from nothing. Michigan companies have long staked their claim and built their brands here in China.
   

   Though China has been bashed for taking jobs from Michiganders, it really is China that has given our Big Three automakers their biggest gains over the past few years. And there is even direct evidence that Chinese firms have created and saved jobs in Michigan, such as when Beijing’s Pacific Century Motors bought out the Nexteer Automotive Plant in Buena Vista last year.
   

   Michigan schools are helping pave the way for Michigan in China, too. Some of you know that when I returned to Michigan from China last year, I was working at East Lansing’s Gillespie Group to develop a program called “China Creative Space” for Chinese students. Michigan State University has the United States’ largest Chinese student population — with more than 850 Chinese freshman admitted this year, that puts the number at around 3,500 students. And as a young MSU grad in Beijing, I can tell you that there are many Chinese-speaking Michiganders already carrying the state flag around China.
   

   I hope Gov. Snyder recognizes these pioneers who are already working for Michigan here in China and announces them proudly to our Chinese friends. “Call us up, Governor! We are standing at the front lines waiting for your orders!”

5. Qingchun Mixigen — Pure Michigan
   

   Snyder should try his best to highlight Michigan as a destination for travel and personal financial opportunity. The Pure Michigan campaign is gaining ground in the U.S., but needs to make its way over to China.
   

   As a preferred provider of EB5 immigration investment opportunities, I see the possibilities for bringing Chinese to Michigan as enormous. In a recent China Merchants Bank and Bain and Co. study, a whopping 27 percent of Chinese with assets over $15 million have already emigrated out of China — and another 47 percent of them are considering it. Typically, their destinations are more familiar places like San Francisco, New York, and Chicago.
   

   But things could change. I would hope Snyder would put resources toward getting Pure Michigan on the airwaves and in the newspapers here in China. Perhaps he could use this trip to announce the opening of a Michigan travel office in Beijing.

6. Kuai hui lai — Rinse and Repeat
   

   As someone who has already done business in China, Gov. Snyder should have some grasp of the concept of guanxi — the art of doing business through relationships in China. He should understand that to help Michigan really achieve great things in China, he is going to have to come back again, and again, and again.
   

   Only after hundreds of gifts, thousands of frequent flyer miles, and dozens of ribbon cuttings will Michigan really reach its true potential here. I trust he knows this first visit will not be his last as governor.

Michigan, My Michigan
As you will know from reading my bio, I am indeed no longer working in Michigan. I now represent a Milwaukee company that is an EB5 immigrant investment manager. I am extremely happy and fulfilled in my current role with the company, and am enjoying my life here in Beijing.

Things are truly different in Wisconsin. As I’ve stressed above, the Chinese can find ample evidence that state and city leadership in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are fully committed to building relations with China. This summer was even officially dubbed the “Summer of China” in Milwaukee. These are the types of things that should be done all over the state of Michigan.

My current position is an opportunity that I originally hoped I could find in Michigan. However, it’s true that timing is everything. I know that someday I will again have a more direct impact on Michigan, and I’m excited to see evidence that things are starting to turn around. Michigan’s best days are still ahead.

Chinese Translations

• Qiezi － 茄子 This actually is the Chinese word for “eggplant”; it is typically what the Chinese say when taking a photo, just as Americans use “Cheese!”
• Ni keyi shuo “ni hao” ma? — 你可以说“你好”吗? “Can you speak Chinese?”
• Diaocha — 调查 Literally, “to investigate”
• Mixigen daibiao — 密西根代表 “Michigan representatives”
• Qingchun Mixigen — 青春密西根 “Pure Michigan”
• kuai hui lai — 快回来 － literally, “Come back soon.”

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Dan Redford is director of China operations for FirstPathway Partners, an EB5 immigration investment management company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The recent MSU graduate lives and works in Beijing and previously represented the U.S. at the Shanghai World Expo. He was also founder and director of the China Creative Space for Gillespie Group of East Lansing.