Life of Guangzhou - U.S. CG: I've Felt a Growing Excitement about the Upcoming Asian Games

U.S. Consul General Brian L. Goldbeck visited Guangzhou Vice Mayor and Executive Deputy Secretary General of the Asian Games Organization Committee Mr. Xu Ruisheng at the Guangzhou Asian Games Sports and Culture Centre on November 25 to learn about city's preparations for the Asian Games and to express the United States' warm wishes for an excellent and successful year of preparations followed by friendly sporting events.

The Consul General was accompanied by Economic and Political Chief Steve Lang; Public Affairs Chief Robert Palladino; Foreign Commercial Service Deputy Chief Andrew Gately; and several others. Local dignitaries accompanying Vice Mayor Xu to the meeting included Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Municipal Government Foreign Affairs Office Mr. Deng Rongming; and the Deputy Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee Mr. Zeng Qingchun.

At the meeting, Consul General Goldbeck said: "The Asian Games should propel Guangzhou onto the international stage to get the recognition the city deserves. The U.S. Consulate is interested in being supportive in any way it can, and that is why my commercial, public affairs, and other specialists have accompanied me here today. I also hope that all American sister cities with Guangzhou and Guangdong will send delegations to the games next year. Since arriving in Guangzhou this July, I have felt a growing excitement about the upcoming Asian Games, and now that they are less than a year away, people living in Guangzhou can look forward to this golden opportunity with anticipation."

During the visit, the Consul General learned more about Guangzhou's plans for the Asian Games and how they can serve as a friendly vehicle to communicate the openness of Guangdong and Lingnan culture to the world. Consul General Goldbeck expressed an interest in personally seeing many public events and enjoying the camaraderie offered by the Asian Games.

After the meeting, Consul General Goldbeck said: "I hope the Asian Games will expand contacts in culture and sports as well as business between the U.S. and China, and in fact all Asian and Pacific nations. I am glad that in China today we are building bridges of understanding between peoples. We know that for the U.S. and China in the last three decades, some of the most notable bridges of understanding have been through sports."

Reflecting on the visit, the Consul General Goldbeck said: “I am encouraged by the volunteerism seen in Guangzhou for the Asian Games, and I encourage people of all nationalities to continue to support the Asian Games. We also are pleased and impressed to see energy-saving designs incorporated in the Games venues. I know U.S. companies here and in the U.S. are eager to participate in high-technology green projects, and also that high efficiency off-the-shelf U.S. machinery pays for itself in energy savings. Examples of relevant U.S. technology that could help the Asian Games range from air conditioning for stadiums, to equipment to reduce emissions from Guangzhou's power plants, to lighting and scoreboard systems for stadiums, to name just a few. The Games are a great opportunity to expand partnerships and cooperation on issues such as tourism, environmental protection, economic development and trade, and educational exchange. We look ahead to the further growth of our relationship with the Asian Games organizers, and, of course, to the excitement and energy of the Asian Games themselves."

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