Everybody It's Wu Jianmin! Mayor Adams to Hang Out With Chinese Ambassador Saturday Night.

Thursday, 17 September 2009 23:57

Here's a missive from my old friend (and '08 Summer Olympics reporter) Jason Simms:

Oh how time flies. It's only been 60 years since the Mao Zedong-led Communist Party of China prevailed after two decades of civil war and founded modern China. And from the Cultural Revolution through last year's Olympics, it's been quite a ride. As a member of China's first delegation to the UN and ambassador to France, Belgium and more, Ambassador Wu Jianmin has seen it all, simultaneously from inside China's government and outside its borders.

This Saturday, Mr. Wu is going to share anecdotes from his experiences in diplomacy at a VIP reception at the Portland Classical Chinese Gardens at 7pm. Among the confirmed attendees is our own Mayor Sam Adams, who visited China last year promoting Portland's green business sector. Want to eavesdrop on their conversation? For $150 you can. (Or for a little more, get a whole table for your company. Nike did.)

The money goes to benefit the Oregon-Fujian Sister State Association (bet you didn't know we had a sister state in China, did you?) and the Confucius Institute at PSU, where Mr. Wu is also giving a lecture next week. Strangely, the following all celebrate round numbered anniversaries this year: the OFSSA (25), the State of Oregon(150), US-China diplomatic relations (30) and Modern China (60). Thus, given the ever-numerological nature of Chinese culture, Mr. Wu's visit is part of an international "Celebration 265". See you on Saturday, and at "Celebration 285" in 2014.

Write This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 503-360-5582 for tickets.