More Chinese real estate investors in Houston?

Houston has become the best friend of China!  in December, the city sent a delegation of no less than 71 officials, community leaders and business leaders to China.  The Mayor Sylvester Turner joined the trip and it was his first time visiting China: "I got the chance to meet with the vice-mayor of Shanghai, mayors of Beijing and Shenzhen, and a number of high level officials," says Turner. "Everywhere we went, people were very approachable and supportive. I expect a lot of business arrangements between China and Houston."

The Houston delegation held conferences to discuss business and investment opportunities in Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing. "Chinese businesses are discovering that Houston is uniquely positioned as a hub for doing business all across the Americas," said Bob Harvey, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership. "These global leaders realize that Houston is not only an ideal location to invest in, it is a strategic ecosystem for the exchange of technology, expertise and best practices with other global partners. That's why we are seeing companies from China - and from all over the world - establishing their regional headquarters in Houston."

The trip turned out to be a success. Potential business opportunities in the areas of healthcare, energy, engineering, education, finance, aeronautics and other key areas were discussed. A series of memoranda of understanding were signed as well.

In Beijing, Houston's goodwill ambassador, former NBA Houston Rockets star Yao Ming, participated in the conferences in order to promote his former city. The result is that the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) signed a strategic agreement with Ctrip, a Chinese provider of travel services, and its New York-based subsidiary L & L Tour.  Leo Yao, representative at GHCVB, said the agreement will help Houston to better serve visiting Chinese. "We began a conversation in February and Ctrip thought that Houston had great potential to explore. This agreement will help us to work together strategically," Yao said.   Potentially more Chinese visitors could lead to more real estate investments in Houston as well.

Source: China Daily