Our third day was packed full of lectures instead of hours of sightseeing. We went first to the Ritz-Carlton of Shanghai where the U.S. Consulate Office is located. There we heard a lecture from Tara Qu.
Tara Qu is the Commercial Representative for the U.S. Consulate General of Shanghai. She is in charge of the U.S. Commercial Services. She spoke to us about the market strategy for U.S. firms entering the Chinese, specifically Shanghai.
Tara moved to the United States from Shanghai in the early 80's with her family, and after about ten years she took a position with the U.S. government that brought her back to China. She is ideal for the position due to her time in both cultures.
After a presentation from Tara we went to have lunch at a French restaurant in a nice shopping area of Shanghai.
Adam, Ryan and Brett enjoy a French meal out of the heat.
After lunch we were given some time to browse the shops before heading to the next stop of the day. We boarded the bus around 1 PM and were off to The Shanghai Education Centre for Administrators.
Group shot at The Shanghai Education Centre for Administrators.
Our guides all work or attend class at this center.
Our first lecture at the Shanghai Education Centre for Administrators was presented by Bau Dairu, the Deputy Director of the Social Security Bureau of Shanghai. He discussed the details of Social Security in Shanghai. Retirement age in China is dependent on job and gender. Women with management positions can legally retire at 55, while other women workers can retire at 50 and all men have to wait until 60.
Our first lecture at the Shanghai Education Centre for Administrators was presented by Bau Dairu, the Deputy Director of the Social Security Bureau of Shanghai. He discussed the details of Social Security in Shanghai. Retirement age in China is dependent on job and gender. Women with management positions can legally retire at 55, while other women workers can retire at 50 and all men have to wait until 60.
Mr. Bau told us that Social Security payments are determined by the monthly average income in the city that is paying. The average monthly income in Shanghai is currently 2,892 Yuan. Mr. Bau gave us a lot of useful information for comparison with the current U.S. social security system.
After a brief break we had a lecture about the Shanghai stock exchange with Mr. Wang who we met at the Shanghai Stock Exchange the day before. Vincent Wang earned his Ph. D in Boston. He is currently a top financial analyst on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Mr. Wang is another alumni from West Virginia University. During is lecture he went through the history and current trends of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
At the conclusion of this lecture we moved downstairs for a traditional Chinese dinner with all of our Shanghai guides. For Wendy and Healthy it was our last time together.
During this dinner we experienced a cultural tradition to cheers those you respect with Gombay, or bottoms up. Our Chinese friends taught us how to show respect by attempting to keep your glass lower than that of the individual you are gombaying with.
This activity let the Americans and Chinese become better friends by giving us an opportunity to meet and visit on a personal level. The Chinese cultural is one with great depth, so far we have all been able to experience many aspects of the culture.
Julie, Wendy, Danielle, Healthy and Madam Wong.
Justin and Madam Wong
Jacky and Ryan pose for a picture while mingling.
The cook staff was able to watch us during the banquet.
The girls pose for a picture with the director of the center Mr. Wang Yong Rong.
Dr. Chow and Dr. Riley show our thanks with a gift for Madam Wong at the end of our dinner.
Madam Wong, Kristen, Laura, Healthy and Wendy say their goodbyes back at the hotel.
After our banquet we headed back for the hotel. Some students went out to explore Shanghai while other took advantage of the Chinese spa in the hotel. After three wonderful days in Shanghai, tomorrow we move on the Hangzou for a day.
