Words are inadequate to describe the generous hospitality offered to us by our Chinese hosts. At each business and the SDJU we were greeted warmly and offered tours of their enterprises followed by lively discussion regarding their specific business practices. The formal exchange of business cards and gifts is another example of business protocol in China. Additionally, at every place we visited we were asked to take a group picture including our entire group wit...

Our trip to China would not have been complete without visiting a silk factory as silk has been one of China's precious commodities for centuries. In this picture we are awaiting our departure for the Tiger Hill Pagoda. Even in a steady, but light, rain, the climb to the Pagoda proved to be another opportunity to touch China's past, as it is the oldest pagoda in the vicinity of Suzhou and is a symbol of the city with the distinction of being China's leaning tower!

The making of silk is a fascinating process beginning with the silk worm through the pupa stage and onto extracting the precious silk thread. Of course, a visit to a Chinese silk factory is not complete without shopping in its factory store. Chinese landscapes, embroidered in silk thread ready for framing, bed comforters, and wearable items such as ties, scarves, and dresses and suits were just a few of the abundant items in the store. Our stop at the silk facto...

Upon arriving in Suzhou and before visiting SIP, we strolled around Jinji Lake whose vista this morning was shrouded by light fog although, nonetheless, strikingly beautiful. Jinji Lake is the largest inland lake in China and its scenic area is a popular destination for Chinese tourists. With a mission to create innovation, SIP (officially China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park) is crucial in China's plan to move from an economy driven by manufacturing to one p...

The population of Suzhou is 700,000. 300 US companies have a presence here in the SIP. Many colleges and universities cultivate the creative, innovative fodder that furthers the mission statement of SIP. Cal/Berkley is just one US university which enjoys a partnership here.