The trend now is for high-level state visit delegations to include entrepreneurs from private enterprise, who sometimes number more than representatives from state-owned enterprises, according to an official with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

The Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported on April 11 that most of these private-enterprise representatives come from Wenzhou and other cities in the areas of Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

The delegation led by Premier Wen Jiabao at the China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development Forum 2006 held in Fiji on April 5 and 6 included three Wenzhou entrepreneurs: Huang Jingjun, Ye Long and Wu Lidian, all from Wenzhou.

Entrepreneurs who traveled with the delegation led by Vice Premier Wu Yi to the United States earlier this month included 202 entrepreneurs from 111 enterprises, 12 of which were private enterprises based in Wenzhou, including the Zhengtai Group Company, Delixi Group Company, and China Fangda Group Co. Ltd.

The practice of selecting key entrepreneurs from private enterprise to participate in state-level visits started as early as in December 2003. At that time, five Wenzhou representatives joined a delegation led by Premier Wen Jiabao to Ethiopia to participate in the China-African Forum and China-African Entrepreneur Cooperative Conference.

According to the Wenzhou City Council for the Promotion of International Trade, a comparatively large number of entrepreneurs who travel as part of state leaders' entourages have been from Zhejiang Province, with Wenzhou's entrepreneurs being the most active.

"Traveling as part of a state-level delegation helps enlarge our information channels and widen our field of vision," said Zhou Jiaru, chairman of the board of directors of the Wenzhou Guansheng Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., who was among the delegation led by President Hu Jintao to the US and Canada last September.

While in Canada, Zhou met with potential business partners from five of Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturers.

"During the event organized by the Canada China Business Council, I learned that Canadian companies are looking to cooperate with Chinese partners," Zhou said.

CCPIT officials said that new channels of communication with foreign companies are a major attraction for these entrepreneurs.

Further, compared to state-owned enterprises, private enterprises have more clearly established ownership. Coupled with their ability to adapt to different markets and changing market conditions, foreign partners find them easier to work with. 

Meanwhile, experts advise that entrepreneurs invited to join state-level delegations should "do their homework" prior to touring. They must have a sound understanding of the country they're visiting, their potential partners, and the market that they want to be involved in. Otherwise, the tours will be more "symbolic" than "significant".

(China.org.cn by Li Jingrong, April 18, 2006)