LOS ANGELES — A group of 113 individuals representing 95 local California companies just returned from China in the largest ever trade mission of its kind. It lays the groundwork for the governor’s trip in November.
The “China Discovery Tour and Trade Mission” offered participants, many of whom have never visited China, opportunities to visit cultural landmarks, participate in business briefings and meet face-to-face with potential business partners in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai.
“This is an historic event,” said Chairman Elhu Harris, of the Bay Area World Trade Center, one of the organizers. “Never in the history of the state has there been a trade mission organized at this level for small-to-medium sized companies.”
The trade mission coincided with the 2006 World Trade Center General Assembly in Shanghai and offered access to more than 4000 World Trade Center representatives from 120 cities in 38 countries.
WELLS FARGO IN OAKLAND CHINATOWN
Wells Fargo has opened a new Home Mortgage and financial services office in Oakland Chinatown.
A community celebration, featuring a lion dance ceremony, dim sum, prizes and local public officials marked the occasion, at which Wells Fargo contributed $35,000 to local nonprofit agencies serving the East Bay Asian community. Those awards included: East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation ($25,000); Family Bridges, Inc. ($5,000); Wa Sung Community Service Club ($1,000); Asian Health Services ($1,000); and Asian Community Mental Health Services ($3,000).
“We are committed to helping residents and businesses in this community become more financially successful,” said Willie Natt, Wells Fargo’s Oakland metro community president.
The latest U.S. Census reports that the Chinese and Hispanic populations in Oakland are growing, with more than 31,000 Chinese residents.
AZN TELEVISION AND NBA SIGN PACT
AZN Television and the National Basketball Association have entered an agreement to provide NBA-related programming for APAs.
The original series Hoopguys, which follows the antics of three APA hoop fans on a quest to experience as many NBA games as possible, will be part of the plan, according to Steve Smith, AZN Television managing director.
The NBA will provide footage for 22 episodes to air during the 2005-06 season, and 36 episodes to be televised during the 2006-07 season.
AZN will also premiere the documentary series Yao Ming in the NBA, which chronicles the Houston Rockets All-Star’s second season in American pro basketball.
“AZN Television’s ability to reach a fast-growing population of young Asian Americans fits well with our strategy to form partnerships that connect us directly with our multicultural audience,” said Gregg Winik, NBA Entertainment executive vice president.
COMCAST LAUNCHES 5 INTERNATIONAL CHANNELS
El Segundo, Calif. –– Comcast is launching a set of multicultural programming choices, including SBTN in Vietnamese, TV Japan in Japanese and BMA Pinoy TV. These channels are available to digital cable customers in Southern California as digital premium networks.
“The Los Angeles market is one of the most vibrant and diverse areas in the United States and many of its residents have ties that extend to all parts of the world, said Debi Picciolo, senior vice president, Comcast Southern region.
DEBBIE JORGENSEN NAMED IN ‘TOP 100 WEALTH ADVISORS’
Debbie Jorgensen, a Merrill Lynch private wealth advisor based in San Francisco, was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Wealth Advisors” in the October 2005 issue of Worth Magazine. The list is the culmination of a year’s research.
Worth’s editors only considered wealth advisors with at least 10 years experience and who manage accounts of at least $10 million.
Jorgensen, who is of Philippine descent, has been with Merrill Lynch for 21 years working with families and institutions providing comprehensive wealth management. She has expertise in investment management, tax planning, concentrated stock strategies, trust, estate and philanthropic planning.
She earned her BA in economics from Stanford University and her Certified Financial Planner Designation.
“It’s great to see the nation’s leading wealth management magazine recognize what Debbie’s clients and the local community have known for some time –– that she is among the best of the best,” said Curtis Brown, regional managing director of Merrill Lynch in San Francisco.
KIM AMONG NATION’S OUTSTANDING HEALTH CARE LAWYERS
Ober/Kaler counsel Paul W. Kim has been named one of the nation’s “Outstanding Young Healthcare lawyers—2005” by Nightingale’s Healthcare News.
Kim, 35, was one of 15 attorneys selected among lawyers under 40. He advises clients in all aspects of health law, from corporate compliance to reimbursement issues. He previously handled fraud and abuse, privacy, reimbursement and clinical research issues from the patient, provider, payer and government perspectives.
“Paul is an immensely talented attorney. He has an analytical mind and an outstanding comprehension of the law,” said Sanford V. Teplitzky, chair of Ober/Kaler’s Health Law Department.
Kim graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and University of Maryland’s Law School after finishing his BA at Johns Hopkins in 1992.
ASIAN AMERICAN TYCOON PLEADS GUILTY TO OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE
Former Gemstar-TV Guide CEO Henry C. Yuen, who was forced out in 2002 and later charged with inflating the company’s revenues, will plead guilty to obstructing a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into accounting irregularities, a federal prosecutor said.
The plea calls for Yuen to be sentenced to two years’ probation, including six months of home detention.
In addition, Yuen will pay a $250,000 fine, donate $1 million to three Los Angeles-area charities that represent low-income victims of fraud and be restricted from running any publicly traded company during probation.
“He tried to impede the SEC investigation,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranee Katzenstein.
“Henry Yuen is grateful that it is all now behind him and looks forward to his future in media,” said Yuen’s attorney.