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Washington, DC --Congressman David Wu recently returned from a trip to The People's Republic of China. This was his first visit to China as a Congressman and first since multiple visits made between 1978 and 1989.
The goal of Congressman Wu's trip was two-fold: connect with Chinese students on issues we all highly value: democracy, human rights and the rule of law, while also fostering our nation's economic relationship.
"I believe that we should not only be exporting goods and services, but should also export our values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law" stated Congressman Wu.
Congressman Wu had the opportunity to meet with executives and employees at businesses with Northwest ties such as Intel, Nike and Microsoft. Much of the discussion centered around Congressman Wu's position as ranking member of the Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards.
Additionally, Congressman Wu scheduled several school visits, just as he does when home in Oregon. He spoke with students at Jiaotong University and Fudan University in Shanghai and Soochow University in Suzhou. He also visited a high school and an elementary school in Suzhou that have sister-school relationships with Jackson Middle School and Wilson High School in Portland, Oregon. Congressman Wu initiated the Portland-Suzhou Sister-City relationship in 1985 and was the founding president of the association.
Congressman Wu met with students in classroom settings, as well as in more informal settings by joining students during lunch breaks. Congressman Wu sees the value in 'scratching below the surface' to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in addition to addressing these issues at international and national policy levels.
Congressman Wu is the first and only Chinese-American to serve in the House of Representatives and one of seven Asian Americans currently serving in Congress. He is an Executive Board member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, an appointed member to the President's Export Council, a member of the Congressional Executive Commission on China and the U.S.-China Working Group.
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