Campaign Statement
Dear AmCham Members,
My name is Kenneth Li, President & CEO of Waitex Group, and I am writing to seek your support in my campaign running for the AmCham Board of Governors during this critical moment in history.
I was born in Chinatown in NYC in 1979 but my family was originally from Guangzhou. I started coming to China about 20 years ago, like many overseas returnees. The feeling I had then was of entrepreneurial dynamism and global curiosity – especially towards the United States. That feeling of opening and possibility has sadly passed. However, everyone acknowledges the importance of the relationship, not just for the investment and business community, but its direct impact on global peace and prosperity.
Started over 40 years ago in New York, Waitex Group is a family-owned Chinese-American business with significant investments in both countries. In the US, Waitex Supply Chain Solutions has more than 1000 employers and is, in the Greater New York Area, one of the largest minority-owned companies by headcount as well as one of the large employers of Chinese immigrants. In China, Waitex Group has more than 50 companies ranging from finance-factoring to the most successful luxury outlet malls in China; from retail stores to sports training programs. Our company also works and develops projects with many international brands including the NBA, Juventus F.C., and Mattell in China.
For American SME’s in China, government relationships and clear understanding of policies and procedures are key. Waitex Group has been very active working with policymakers, governmental organizations, and think tanks, serving as deputy of the China Federation of Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs, as a US representative for the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and as board member for the Center for China and Globalization amongst others. I hope that through my role, I can lend my perspective on policies that might be unclear or easily misinterpreted.
AmCham China, now more than ever, must be a critical and trusted partner for both sides. I hope to use the AmCham platform to advocate for the many American businesses in China, from stronger protection of intellectual property to a supportive, fair, and transparent business environment. I hope that AmCham member companies can continue to act as bridge for constructive commercial engagement between both countries, particularly in the post-Covid global economic environment.
Serving on the AmCham board of governors would become one of my highest priorities as a businessperson and leader. It would be an honor and I thank you for your support.
Best,
Kenneth Li
Biography
Mr. Kenneth Li was born in New York City in 1979 and graduated from Brown University in 2001. He also served as an Henry Crown Aspen China Fellow Class, is a YPO NY Metro and YPO Beijing member, and has served as an overseas representative of the Tianjin Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He has also served as a Global Young Leader for the Center for China and Globalization. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Kenneth Li led the Waitex Group’s social contribution efforts where they donated over ¥10 million rmb of epidemic prevention materials to the Tianjin Wuqing Red Cross different epidemic organization prevention organizations.
Kenneth Li currently serves as the Group President and CEO of the Waitex Group of Companies. During his two decades there, the Waitex Group has grown into a worldwide conglomerate of companies consisting of Waitex Supply Chain Solutions, Waitex Apparel, Waitex Global Investments and Benchmark Asia.
Starting in 1981, Waitex Supply Chain Solutions offers the most comprehensive third-party logistics (3PL) services in the United States with three million square feet of distribution space on its east and west coasts. It has more than 1000 employees in the United States, and distributes more than $5 billion USD of for more than 500 wholesale clients every year. For over 30 years, Waitex Apparel has also forged licensing partnerships to design, produce and wholesale licensed apparel with some of the world’s largest sports brands including Russell Athletic, Fanatics, the NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, Champion and FILA.
In China, Kenneth Li has helped to expand the Waitex Group into multiple sectors ranging from logistics, finance-factoring and high-end commercial real estate and residential real estate development projects. Starting from 2009, Waitex Group has invested, developed and managed the most succesful premium outlet village brand in China, Florentia Village Outlets. Other projects that Waitex Group has developed in China include Creativo Arts & Culture Center an arts and lifestyle themed shopping village, and the V1 Automobile World project an automotive culture and international grade racing circuit.
In addition to real estate consulting and development, Benchmark Asia also develops, invests and operates experiential and training focused projects throughout China including basketball, through the NBA Playzone brand; motorsports through the V1 Autoworld International Circuit a 4.2 km FIA certified race track; football training through the Juventus Football Academy; IP themed entertainment through the Hot Wheels International Speedway, and arts education through the Stellarts International Arts School and Creative Arts Center. With over 40 different self operated locations, Benchmark Asia hopes to become a global leader in new retail experiences.