AmCham-China

Reviewing Progress and Renewing Purpose: AmCham-China Members Stand with China After the 2008 Earthquake

On May 5, 110 AmCham-China members and invited guests gathered at the Raffles Hotel Beijing to commemorate the victims of last year’s devastating Sichuan earthquake. The event brought together member companies to identify how American businesses can further contribute to the reconstruction of the affected region.

After opening remarks from AmCham-China Chairman John D. Watkins, Jr. and US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Dan Piccuta, representatives from Cisco, United Technologies Corporation, Intel, Oshkosh Corporation, the United Foundation for Chinese Orphans and the US CDC shared case studies of their rebuilding projects. From reforestation to school rebuilding and post-traumatic stress counseling, these projects run the spectrum of involvement. View our photo gallery for a slide show of the event.

In his presentation, Rob Blinn, director of the China Earthquake Relief Project, demonstrated some of the somatic stress-relief techniques with the audience, while US CDC Country Director Dr. Jeffrey McFarland encouraged the audience to consider scalable projects that can be replicated throughout China, not just in earthquake-affected areas. View Dr. McFarland's presentation in our members only pages.

In the second part of the presentation, McKinsey & Company and the US Agency for International Development (US AID) briefed attendees on what still needs to be addressed and how US companies can engage with provincial and local governments. McKinsey partner Alex Peng provided an overview of the needs and opportunities available in the affected regions, while Jennifer Adams from US AID reviewed a list of projects spanning all sectors where the provincial government is seeking private sector cooperation. 

For companies looking to examine opportunities for public-private cooperation in Sichuan, there are three lists of projects from US AID: (1) general rebuilding and reconstruction across many sectors; (2) cultural relic preservation; (3) emergency preparedness.

On the anniversary of the earthquake, May 12 at 2:28 PM, the US Embassy will lower its flag and observe a moment of silence. AmCham-China is extremely proud of the efforts of its member companies to restore and rebuild the lives of the people affected by the earthquake, and hopes that this event will stimulate further investment and engagement in the region. The efforts of 50 member companies are also showcased in Reviewing Progress & Renewing Purpose: AmCham-China Members Stand with China after the 2008 Earthquake, an AmCham-China/US CDC publication. That publication is available in PDF form here.