Anthony Goh from the American Chamber of Commerce in China goes from Capitol Hill to the Chinese Embassy speaking out for American businesses in China

Capitol Hill 7:00 a.m. I leave my hotel and drive to the Sofitel Hotel in downtown DC, where the American Chamber of Commerce in China Doorknock delegates are gathering every morning this week for a breakfast briefing about the day’s activities. The AmCham-China’s Washington DC, Doorknock Delegation is once a year. We come over and give our recommendations for U.S. policy toward China. This is the last of a busy three days.

8:00 We are divided into five groups today. Mine has a busy morning schedule and an afternoon trip to the Chinese Embassy.

The House 9:00 I leave for the Capitol Hill Club, said to be national club for the Republicans, to meet with Steve Moore, chief of staff for Republican Illinois representative Peter Roskam. I see a familiar face. Is that Steve? He remembers my name and tells me that he is not Steve Moore. Turns out he’s Representative Bill Cassidy, a republican from Louisiana, whom we visited two days ago. Oops. We meet with the real Steve, who asks us about the business environment in China.

The Senate 10:00 Together with AmCham representatives from Caterpillar and Emerge Logistics, I meet Victor Cervino and Jennifer Renjel of Senator Mel Martinez’s (R-FL) office. We explain that AmCham-China’s agenda is helping U.S. companies succeed in China, which increases employment in America and boosts the country’s economy. He asks for support for the four bills that comprise the U.S.-China Competitiveness Agenda, sponsored by Representatives Larsen, Kirk, Davis and Israel. We explain how China’s 4 trillion stimulus package has helped U.S. companies and how Beijing did not need any prompting to implement it. We also stress the importance of exporting more to China, and the support needed to assist small and medium-sized U.S. exporters.

Train from Georgia 11:00 We meet with Senator Saxby Chambliss’ office (R, GA). We talk about how Georgia has increased its export to China by 512 percent since 2000, reaching US$2 billion last year. (My colleague) explains the importance of increasing the processing efficiency for visa applications. American companies are needlessly losing out to EU competitors, and risk exacerbating this if we do not make improvements soon.

Trade Means Jobs 2:00 I join other AmCham-China members at the press conference for Representatives Larsen and Kirk’s U.S.-China Competitiveness Agenda. Larsen speaks about the importance of trade with China, which is the top foreign market for products from his home state of Washington. Trade means jobs. Already, one third of the state’s jobs depend on trade with China. Kirk talks about the importance of diplomatic expansion in China and increasing funding for staffing at consulates. More than 200 towns and cities in China have a population of over one million, and the U.S. consulates are currently under-staffed. AmCham-China Chairman John Watkins also speaks, thanking the Representatives for putting forward an affirmative agenda. These bills are good for American businesses and the U.S. economy, he says.

Embassy Party 5:00 The AmCham-China delegation arrives at the new Chinese Embassy. Minister Counselor Zhang and his colleagues guide us for a tour inside the embassy. Very impressive. Then Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong receives us, welcoming us warmly. We brief the Ambassador about our trip and the general response from the folks on the Hill. Zhou commends the efforts of AmCham-China members to promote trade and a good relationship between the U.S. and China. AmCham delegates voice their viewpoints on some of the trade issues between the two countries, pushing for even stronger ties and increased cooperation.

Beijing Bound 6:00 After a very busy three days, it’s time to say farewell before we meet in Beijing again. I say goodbye to other delegates and start the drive back to Maryland. I stop at Potbelly Sandwich Works and get a roast beef sandwich—something simple. I need a good night’s sleep before making the long trip back to Beijing.