BIZCHINA / Biz Who

IPR moves impress US official
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-31 14:56

Lavin said he shouldered two missions in China this time: to hold policy discussions with different ministry officials and to help promote the business of US companies in China.

Addressing two mergers of US businesses with Chinese companies, Lavin said all the decisions are up to the Chinese Government.

The two cases are US financial giant Citibank's bid for a Chinese local bank and the US-based Carlyle Group's agreement to purchase an 85 per cent stake in State-owned Xuzhou Construction Machinery Co Ltd.

A former senior manager in Citibank, Lavin noted that the two US firms have made a great contribution to Chinese economic development.

Lavin impressed reporters with his fluent Chinese and the knowledge of oriental culture, which he attributed to years of working experience in Asia and his university diploma.

If one knows Chinese, he said, it will surely help him understand the other half of the world and send him on a journey to a great civilization.

Lavin said that he sent his daughter to stay with a Chinese family in Beijing a week ago, and expected her to act as "a little diplomat."


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