The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission conducted a public hearing on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. The topic of the hearing was "China's Impact on the North Carolina Economy: Winners and Losers."
The hearing focused on China's impact on the economy of North Carolina in both "old economy" industries such as furniture and textiles as well as "new economy" industries such as computers. One goal was to assess the effectiveness of North Carolina's proactive measures to mitigate and adapt to Chinese competition.
Speakers from North Carolina's business, government and higher education communities presented reports on the economy in North Carolina. Rick L Weddle, the President and CEO of the Research Triangle Park Foundation and Dr. Patrick Conway, Professor and Economist from UNC-Chapel Hill examined North Carolina's changing economy. Dr. Gary Gereffi, Director of the Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness and Betty McGrath of the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina addressed how China's trade has affected the North Carolina economy. Case studies from union representatives, executives in corporate marketing and from the furniture and textile industry illuminated the effects of the U.S.-China relationship. The hearing concluded with feedback and opinions from the people of North Carolina, in an open microphone session.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission was established in 2000 to monitor, investigate and report on national security implications of trade with China in order to provide recommendations to Congress. This hearing was the commission's 7th in a series for the year 2007. It followed reports made in Washington, DC on the U.S.-China relationship, economics, government control, energy consumption, defense, Internet and media control. A summary hearing and an annual report on the commission's activities will be presented in Washington later this year.
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