The 18-member state delegation and Ellspermann arrived in China on June 24. They left for Indiana on July 2. During her first year in office, Ellspermann visited 92 counties on a Listen and Learn Tour, according to the Lieutenant Governor’s ?website.
The group visited and met with officials in Hangzhou, Chengdu, Tianjin, Beijing and other cities with a focus on expanding the exports of Indiana agricultural goods to new markets in China, according to the release.
Idalene “Idie” Kesner, dean of the IU Kelley School of Business and the Frank P. Popoff Chair of Strategic Management, chaired the meeting, which included Indiana government and agriculture representatives who took a 10-day tour of China to establish and promote trade and create stronger relationships, according to the release.
“IU’s gateway offices provide resources that can be as useful to Hoosier business and government interests as they are to education and research,” Vice President for International Affairs David Zaret said. “The lieutenant governor’s visit underscores collaborative opportunities and the value-added impact the IU gateway initiative can have for all Indiana ?residents.”
IU’s China Office, which opened in 2014, serves as a home base for University activities, including partnerships with a growing network of leading Asian universities and engagement with IU alumni and prospective students and their families, according to the release.
Steven Yin, manager of the IU China Office, gave Ellspermann a tour of the office and explained its mission through events and programs it has already sponsored, according to the release.
Yin welcomed the delegation on behalf of Zaret and IU President Michael McRobbie and suggested the China Office as a venue for advancing Indiana’s interests, according to the ?release.
Kesner answered the delegation’s questions about the Kelley School of Business and the activities the school utilizes for engaging with China and other countries around the world, according to the release.
“We look forward to future collaborations between the visiting delegates, the Kelley School and the broader IU community,” Kesner said. “There are many potential opportunities to link Indiana companies with China, and we are happy to facilitate the exploration of those opportunities. We also welcome visiting Indiana business executives to use the gateway office in Beijing as they explore business opportunities in China.”
Bailey Moser
