June 16, 2010 – Beijing, China

The following update comes from the office of Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle:

Today, Governor Linda Lingle continued to market Hawai‘i in Beijing while meeting with executives of the Tian Wei Group to discuss future collaboration in clean and renewable energy development. The Governor and her delegation were the guests of Qiang Ding, president of the Tian Wei Group Co. Ltd. of China, a state-owned enterprise. Tian Wei owns 60 percent of Hoku Scientific, a Hawai‘i-based solar energy company. The company, headed by Mr. Ding and Vice General Manager Jing Chongyou, is the recognized leader in solar power in China, with annual revenues of $3 billion and over 12,000 employees specializing in solar power, wind and related clean and renewable energy technologies.

The Governor also spoke at a forum promoting investment in Hawai‘i and the signing of an educational agreement between Hawai‘i Pacific University and Beijing Jiaotong University. In addition, Governor Lingle attended a banquet hosted by the China Diplomatic Friendship Association and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, where she spoke on China-Hawai‘i relations with an emphasis on scientific endeavors.

In the afternoon, Governor Lingle addressed a group of 125 individuals interested in investing in Hawai‘i at a forum organized by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. She emphasized that Hawai‘i provides a safe, culturally similar and welcoming environment for Chinese who want to consider investments in the U.S.

The Governor also gave closing remarks at the signing of the International Education Cooperative Agreement between Hawai‘i Pacific University and Beijing Jiaotong University.

In the evening, Governor Lingle was the honored guest of the China Diplomatic Friendship Association and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce banquet held in the Great Hall of the People, China’s capitol building. The special guest at this event was Lu Yong Xiang, vice chairman of the Chinese People’s National Congress and head of the Chinese National Academy of Sciences. Vice Chairman Lu recently returned from visiting Mauna Kea on the Big Island, the site of the forthcoming Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). China intends to be a collaborative partner in the TMT project.

Mr. Lu believes China and Hawai‘i have a great opportunity to work together in scientific explorations. As he stated, “Hawai‘i can see the cosmos and the vast oceans—so its horizons are unlimited.” Mr. Lu praised Governor Lingle for her foresight in establishing strong relationships with China, demonstrated by her four trips to the country during her administration.

Governor Lingle provided a history of the telescope project, including the competition between Mauna Kea and the Cerro Armazones in Chile for the final build site. The Governor specifically acknowledged University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng, in attendance at the banquet, who played a pivotal role in Hawai‘i being chosen as the site for this $1.2 billion project.

Governor Lingle thanked everyone for the opportunity to end her trip in such a prestigious location as the Great Hall of the People’s Congress, a mark of the strength of the friendship between Hawai‘i and China.

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