Last modified: Monday, January 28, 2008
Chinese ambassador to U.S. to speak in Indianapolis on Feb. 22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 28, 2008
EDITORS: The media are welcome to cover the ambassador's speech and Q&A session, but he will not be taking questions from reporters.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Zhou Wenzhong, China's ambassador to the United States, will speak Friday, Feb. 22, at the University Conference Center at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. His speech is being presented by IU's Kelley School of Business.
Zhou Wenzhong
Zhou, who has been in his current post since 2005, will speak on the topic "China's Development and U.S.-China Relations." The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. He originally had planned to speak in Indianapolis last November, but had to postpone the event due to a scheduling conflict.
"China is clearly one of the most important centers of economic activity in the world today. An understanding of Chinese business practices is critical for all leaders regardless of their current level of engagement with China," said Dan Smith, dean of the Kelley School.
"Hosting Zhou Wenzhong is a tremendous honor for us and is in keeping with President Michael McRobbie's vision of cultivating deep and sustained relationships with academic and commercial institutions in China. I am confident that those who attend the Ambassador's talk will come away with a richer understanding of the important nuances of working with Chinese managers and government leaders," Smith added.
While there is no charge for the event, registration is required and can be done online at www.kelley.iu.edu/ciber.
The ambassador's visit also is being sponsored by the the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) and Cummins Inc. CIBER creates business research and study opportunities for IU faculty and students, allowing the university's graduates and partners to better compete in today's global economy. It is directed by Barbara Flynn, professor of operations management at Kelley-Indianapolis.
During his visit to Indianapolis, Zhou also has meetings scheduled with Gov. Mitch Daniels; Marjorie Lyles, the OneAmerica Chair in Business Administration in the Kelley School; and Joe Xu, director of IUPUI Confucius Center. He also will have lunch with dignitaries from Cummins, Indiana state government and IU, including IU President Michael McRobbie and IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz.
A native of China's Jiangsu Province, Zhou began his career in diplomatic service as a staff member of the Beijing Diplomatic Service Bureau from 1970 to 1973. Prior to his current post, he focused on foreign-related security as vice minister of foreign affairs. His other diplomatic assignments have included those in the United States, Australia, Bermuda, Barbados and Antigua. From 1973 to 1975, Zhou studied at Bath University and the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom.
