Business leaders from China and Hawaii share ideas

COURTESY LINDA LOUIE

Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, left, Bank of Hawaii CEO Peter Ho and Yu Ping, vice chairman of the Chinese Council for Promotion of International Trade, made a toast Sunday.

About 350 business leaders from China and Hawaii gathered for the APEC China-Aloha Business Leaders' Night Sunday to exchange ideas, foster business understanding and share in each others' cultures.

Co-hosted by the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Bank of Hawaii, the gathering "provided an unparalleled opportunity to bridge Hawaii's business community with members of the Chinese business delegation in a cordial atmosphere," Peter Ho, APEC Host Committee chairman and CEO of Bank of Hawaii, said in a statement. "As a closing event for Business Leaders' Week, China Night solidified the notion that Hawaii has global appeal and is a fruitful place to conduct business meetings."

Several speakers addressed attendees at the Koolau Ballrooms and Conference Center, including Yu Jianhua, assistant minister at China's Ministry of Commerce; Ning Goaning, chairman of COFCO, China's largest oils and food importer and exporter; Yu Ping, vice chairman of CCPIT; Ho; Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz; and Mayor Peter Carlisle.

Guests were entertained by local keiki hula halau that performed traditional Hawaiian hula to well-known Chinese music.