Letter to the Editor: Sour notes in Shanghai
Written by Administrator | | admin@toledofreepress.comTO THE EDITOR,
Ni hao from Shanghai. I am traveling with Mayor Michael Bell’s business forum to various parts of China. We arrived Sept. 11 in Hong Kong and have had business meetings with potential business and trade partners. For most of the business contingent on the trip, this is not our first time in the Orient and we understand the hierarchy and traditions of business meetings.
In the Chinese community, the Mayor is considered one of the highest-ranking officials within the community; the office is above the business community. Bell is treated here with high regard and much respect and dignity. It is very important that you follow these customs and traditions if you want to be able to do business with the Chinese in the future. Bell has done an excellent job of assimilating into the culture and representing the City of Toledo.
Unfortunately, the negative press coverage the mayor is receiving is starting to resonate in our meetings. We are now defending ourselves at our meetings about this coverage; our Chinese hosts cannot understand how the Mayor is being attacked by the press; in this case, perception is everything.
What has not been good for us is the negative press coverage by The Blade and some of the ridiculous small and petty comments by current and past municipal politicians making it into print.
This needs to stop.
We as a community need to remake ourselves if we are going to overcome the difficulties of the times. The perception of the community divided will harm this mission this week and into the future. Toledo has great resources physically and culturally that the Chinese appreciate; it’s time we start working together and sell these assets.
Before anyone makes any more comments, please think about what you are saying and how it affects the community.
More to come …
ALEX JOHNSON, CEO
Midwest Terminals of Toledo-International
Red Lion Bio Energy
