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Posted: May 6, 2005
Visitors to Plano’s Municipal Center the afternoon of May 3 were privy to a
solemn ceremony as they paused to watch a line of 36 delegates from Taiwan
graciously exchange business cards with Mayor Pat Evans and other community,
education and business representatives in advance of a meeting held in
Plano’s City Council Chamber.
The delegation accompanied Dr. Lin Ferng-ching, Minister without Portfolio,
a high-ranking member of Taiwan’s Executive Yuan, responsible to the
President of Taiwan Chen Shui-Bian.
Dr. Lin Ferng-ching and his delegation spent three days in Plano, May 1-3,
with a focus on the community’s technology and telecommunications industries
and opportunities. Coordinated by Mr. George Wan, Texas Instruments, the
official visit to “City Hall” was held in high regard by the delegates and
Dr. Lin Ferng-ching.
Mr. Mark Waterbury, President of Plano Sister Cities, Inc., advised the
delegation that ten percent of Plano’s population, nearly 25,000 persons, is
of Chinese/Taiwan extract, with the Asian community holding an important
place in the City’s economic success and vibrant cultural diversity.
Plano Independent School District representative Ms. Loretta Garcia advised
16% of the District’s students are Chinese and spotlighted some of the
special programming the District offers. She also spoke of past
student/teacher exchanges between Plano and Sister City, Hsinchu, Taiwan and
advised a Plano delegation of students and teachers is traveling to Hsinchu
the end of May, “…the first time anything like this has happened in Plano.”
Dr. Lin Ferng-ching exchanged greetings to the Mayor and community on behalf
of the delegation and his government and advised they are aware of Plano’s
Sister City relationship with Hsinchu. (Both are pictured above.)
“Many in our party are from Hsinchu or have family there. I attended college
in Hsinchu. We hope in your travels you will also remember the rest of us in
Taiwan,” he said smiling and gesturing to the delegation. “I would like to
thank you very much for your kindess in arranging today’s meeting. It is a
rare privilege to come here and meet you and the very nice people in Plano.”
“Although our stay here is short, we can see that Plano is a great place for
families,” Dr. Lin Ferng-ching continued. “I wish you every success in your
future development.”
Mayor Evans thanked the delegation and Dr. Lin Ferng-ching and expressed her
hope they would return to Plano when they could stay longer, a remark
greeted by applause from the delegation. “We know you have so many fine
technology companies in Taiwan, as we do here, as we’ve visited some of
them. We are honored to have you visit Plano and wish you a very productive
trip.”
 In
2004 a Plano “sales team” descended on Asia, representing the City’s first
“trade mission,” broadening Plano’s economic and cultural opportunities as
well as strengthening existing bonds already forged through Sister City and
business partnerships.
Recognizing that Plano’s corporate business base already spread into
international territory, Plano recognized its economic climate was ripe for
international expansion. The Spring 2004 trip including government,
education, business and community representatives began in Plano’s Sister
City, Hsinchu, Taiwan, and extended into Taiwan, China and Hong Kong,
covering five major Asia cities in three countries over ten days.
Plano’s pro-business attitude, incentives for new construction or business
expansion, diverse workforce, stable economy, international access and
quality of lifestyle was an easy sell for the energetic “sales team,” which
included Mayor Evans.
The trip, designed to lay the groundwork for future economic relations,
exceeded all expectations. In Hong Kong an invitation was extended by the
U.S. Department of Commerce to send an intern for a month-long study of
Asian trade and banking strategies and to find export niches and
partnerships for Plano companies and their products.
In Beijing, the group held extended talks with the Chinese Council for the
Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), representing 60,000 Chinese
companies eager to do business in the United States. The CCPIT Deputy
Secretary General has already paid Plano a personal visit to learn more
about our City.
Barely six months into 2005 Plano has been visited by delegates from Hsinchu,
the Japanese Counsel General and his wife, and now, on May 3, the visit by
Dr. Lin Ferng-ching and his delegation.
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