Tuesday’s announcement that United Airlines will begin service from Dulles to Beijing in March has local firms chomping at the bit to build new relationships in China’s up-and-coming economy.
“I know we have a number of people who go back and forth from China, and certainly that route will help to facilitate those relationships and build additional client relationships,” said Mark Paist, a senior lawyer with Morrison and Foerster in Washington, the firm that is representing the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics.
Paist is also chairman of the Asia & Pacific subcommittee at the Northern Virginia Technology Council. The Council has worked to foster ties between Chinese and American businesses through trade missions and informational seminars.
“There’s been an ongoing interest in China because of the size and the potential,” he said. “There’s definitely an appetite for all kinds of technology in China.”
Business ties to China were already strong in the Washington region. Many of the region’s biggest corporations, including Lockheed Martin, Discovery Communications and Marriott, have offices in China, as do many smaller firms.
“Five years ago China wasn’t even in the top 15 international destinations for local companies operating globally. Now, nearly one-quarter of greater Washington firms with international operations have a presence in China,” said Tim Priest, executive director of the Greater Washington Initiative, the region’s research and economic development marketing organization, in a statement. “That number is sure to increase with this new direct route.”
While the route will encourage U.S. businesses to set up offices in China, local business owners hope it will also bring more Chinese companies to the U.S. Currently, there are a limited number of Beijing-based firms operating in the U.S.
Rockville Economic Development Inc. has been working to lure Chinese companies to the U.S. For example, members of REDI, along with Rockville business leaders — including some with existing Chinese business ties — traveled to China in November to promote their city.
Stella Kwan, president of Hightech Consulting Inc., a Rockville-based firm with an office in Beijing, traveled with REDI to trumpet the Washington region. The shorter travel time, she said, should help win companies looking to locate in the U.S.
“The route is very important,” she said. “Now it takes 18 hours. That doesn’t make sense. There are so [many people] that want to fly to Beijing.”
