U.S. Innovations in Clean-Energy Technology Spotlighted in China on Earth Day On Business Mission, Evans Encourages Continued China Reforms, Highlights Good Corporate Citizenship by U.S. Firms

Secretary Evans observes clean-energy vehicles in China

Beijing, China - "As people around the world observe Earth Day, I am pleased to showcase how partnerships between China and the U.S. are helping improve the environment," Evans said. "U.S. firms' contributions to clean-energy vehicles being used in China are tangible examples of how, by working together, the U.S. and China can create jobs, grow our economies and improve the environment."

Evans and representatives from Cummins Inc., General Energies Technologies and General Motors were joined by local Chinese officials for an exhibition of clean-energy vehicles used in China that rely on technologies created in the U.S.

Cummins' employees in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, make compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered engines used today in Beijing city buses. As a result of partnerships with China, the Indiana-headquartered company also employs 3,500 people in China. Cummins' International Vice President Steven M. Chapman represented the company at today's event.

General Energy Technologies, a Denver-based company represented on the China business mission by CEO Ray Geddes, created the technology used in Chinese hybrid electric buses.

General Motors, which employs 3,800 people in China, showcased its hydrogen fuel cell-powered Buick van at today's Earth Day event here. Tim Stratford, vice chairman for GM in China, represented the company today.

Also today, Evans met with China's State Councillor Wu Yi. He told her the United States stands ready to continue providing technical assistance to help China meet its obligations as a new World Trade Organization member. Evans also emphasized the importance of China continuing on the path of reform of its financial and legal systems.

"For China to succeed as a free-market economy, it matters that the system insists on the rule of law and the sanctity of contracts; transparency in its judicial, tax and accounting systems; and non-discriminatory regulations, standards and customs laws," he said in a speech to business leaders.

Evans also spotlighted good corporate citizenship practiced by U.S. firms doing business in China with a visit to a Beijing kindergarten, one of 150 early-learning centers receiving computers and software through IBM's "KidSmart" program. "Trade can be a force for good beyond the obvious commercial benefits of job creation and economic growth," Evans said. "When American companies do business in other countries, they bring with them the American volunteer spirit, the spirit of giving." On Wednesday, Evans plans to visit another example of good U.S. corporate citizenship in Shanghai, where Johnson & Johnson supports the Children's Medical Center, a Project Hope initiative.

Evans is leading the first U.S. business development mission to China since its accession to the World Trade Organization. He is accompanied by 15 U.S. business leaders looking to expand commercial ties in China. This week, the group will meet with Chinese government officials, business leaders and potential business partners in Beijing and Shanghai.

Business development mission members include:

David A. O'Connor, President, Advanced Environmental Systems, Inc., Elkton, MD
David N.K. Wang, Executive Vice President, Applied Materials, Inc., Santa Clara, CA
Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Baxter International, Inc., Deerfield, IL

Keith E. Gottfried, Senior Vice President, Borland Software Corporation, Scotts Valley, CA

Steven M. Chapman, Vice President, Cummins Inc., Columbus, IN

David Turriff, President, En Chem, Inc., Green Bay, WI

Nancy M. Bacon, Senior Vice President, Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., Rochester Hills, MI

Don Gallion, Chairman, President & CEO, FCX Systems, Inc., Morgantown, WV
Ray A. Geddes, President & CEO, General Energy Technologies, Inc., Denver, CO
Thomas M. Gorrie, Corporate Vice President, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ
James K. Brewington, President for Mobility Solutions, Lucent Technologies, Whippany, NJ

Robert L. Barnett, Executive Vice President, Motorola Inc., Schaumburg, IL

Robert Prieto, Chairman of the Board, Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc., New York, NY

Clifford Eby, Group President, Parsons Corporation, Pasadena, CA

Anthony W. Beyer, President, Tek Pak Incorporated, Batavia, IL