I attended an forum, 2018 UIUC US-China Innovation Development Forum, held by Chinese Students and Scholar Association (CSSA).

The hostess Chang, who is the head of CSSA, gave a brief introduction on herself, the relationship of UIUC, and the history of the annual forum.

Diane, the mayor of Urbana, presented a warm welcome to all the Chinese students and scholars. She reviewed the history of the successful cooperation between China and Urbana, and also combined her son's experience in China to express her sincerely welcome to all the Chinese students. She also encouraged all the young people seeking opportunities in the states to make full use of all the resources.  There are about 6,000 Chinese students studying in UIUC. Both sides benefit a lot through the exchange program.

We were very honored to have Chicago Consul General, Consulate- General of P.R.C, who is known as the former spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Hong spoke fluently English.

He firstly introduced the outline of the good side of US and China cooperation, including the trade volume and the up-risng tourism and overseas students in this region. There are more and more Chinese enterprises, are considering investing in USA, for example, Bank of China, Wanda, Wanxiangmei. 60% of the soybeans produced in the States exported to China. During last year, 4 governors of the 9 states visited China, trying to seize opportunities of the development of China. Mr Hong also admitted the negative issues between US and China. USA announced China as its strategic rival. However, China always pursue peaceful development. We have no capability to challenge USA. As the world's largest developing country, China is focus on improving its citizens living standard. China has recently launched the Belt and Road to benefit the whole world. China will hold the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November this year. Mr Hong also explained how Boeing and other American companies which invested in China, gained big margins. Mr Hong reviewed the progress of the on-going trade war launched by US. US imposed tariff on billions of goods imported from China, which disregarded the WTO regulation and rules. He also explained the progress that China have made in the protecting of intellectual property rights these years. China really take IP serious. And no law in China force American companies to transfer intellectual property rights. The trade war goes against both sides' interests. Right now, 45 big corporations and industry associations opposed the rise of tariffs. There is no doubt that the cost of production will increase a lot after US raise its tariffs. China is forced to response to protect our interest to the end. Mr Hong hope the two largest economies can go back to healthy track through dialogue.

China's goal is to build a moderate developed country by the year 2050. Right now, the total GDP of China is 12 trillion, while US is 20 trillion, undoubtedly ,if China keeps the growth rate, we will surpass US in the future.

DiDi is a innovative symbol of Chinese homeland enterprise. The CSSA also invited Jason Xu, the Director of DiDi lab located in Silicon Vally, to give a presentation on how DiDi use big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to gain great business success. Jason received his Ph. D from the university of Illinois and used to work as Sony's director fo computational intelligence lab, leading the R&D of machine learning technology supporting a variety of Sony products.

Professor Mike Yao gave a speech on the nation branding and an analysis of foreign media coverage of Chinese brand. People from different cultural backgrounds hold different perceptions on other nations and its products. He posted several charts as evidence to support his ideas. Also, he gave suggestions on how Chinese companies to gain more brand recognization: through story-telling more than the product itself to achieve the trust of American people. Abandon the out-dated ideas and think in American ways.

Tian Yi Joe Zhu is a 2017 AABDC 50 outstanding Asina American in Business award recipient. He is an international entrepreneur and angel investor. He talked about principles of a young investor (31 year-old). Hard work does not guarantee success. Get your reps. The frequency fo correctness does not matter, it is the magnitude of correctness that matters. The same goes for mistakes. Communication is the key. Know yourselves and specialize. Long term entrepreneurship is involving what you do, who you do with and who you do it for. People eat the steak for the taste, but they buy it for the sizzle. Give back. Mr Zhu is very proud of meeting Warrant Buffet in White House and he also brought a message of White House. "I am wiser today, because of the mistakes I made yesterday , and I will be happier tomorrow, because of the risks I take today". The most impressive part for me, is the mentorship he shared. He mentored a  girl from Princeton, who want to start her own business, however, he taught her how to get into the investor's cycle but she could not do it. At that time, he realized that it was the environment he grew shaped his character. He got over the discomfort at an early stage.

Diane Wolfe Marlin, the Mayor of Urbana and me!

James Noonan is a great presenter. He learnt Vietnamese and Chinese. By telling the story of HSBC commercial, he highlighted international companies need to know where they are and act as locals. He also shared a WSJ story, a Chinese overseas students could not find herself a job and seldom talk to her fellow American classmates. According to his analysis, Chinese students came to study in the states with hopes and dreams in confidence at the very beginning. They should have spoken extremely fluent English. However, due to culture difference, they found themselves hang out with Chinese students all day long. One of his best Chinese student commented that Zhu Xiaotian should try more, while her professor complained that he suffered to teach Chinese students like her. His words makes me think about what culture is. Find out where you are and let the place govern you. Immerse in the environment, you will gain huge benefits. He used to engaged in LEDP program.

Eric Fich studied for his post graduate in Tinghua University in China. He can understand most Chinese. During his speech of International student identity and the front line of US- China relationship, he shared his own experience to be a minority in China and the misconception of Yangguizi in rural area really made him uncomfortable. He suggested us to join clubs and join sport and try to appreciate what local American value.

During the discussion part, the hostess asked a very good question. I have no interest in football, however, every other American like to talk about that, what should I do?

Pro. UnYeong Park gave an interesting answer by sharing his own experience. Fake it until you like it. Green Bear. Make your self interesting and then you can promote the culture. Use individualism in American instead of collectivism.

Danie Li, CEO of Face Hired LNC in North America, the former founder of Togo, and the co-founder of BOSS, made a comparison of employment environment between China and US.

Pro. UnYeong Park came from South Korea,  he praised Chinese oversea students a lot and an enthusiastic presenter.

The final part of the forum, all the presenters sat in the front of the hall, and discussed with audience. Dr. Mike Yao mentioned his disappointment with the Olympic Game in 2008, he criticized from academic perspective that the advertisement in America was a total failure, a waste of money. The decision maker had no knowledge on cross culture management. They ought to tell more regular folks stories to the American audience instead of the eager of celebration the great success they achieved! What a shocking view to me!

On my way to the place I live, I found the sky is more blue than previous day. Maybe that's because I learn a lot today.