2010 Policymakers Chiefs of Staff Trip to China

2010 Program Participants
2010 Policymakers Photo Gallery

In mid-August, the USCPF completed another successful year with the 2010 Policymakers Program. Hosted in China by the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), USCPF led a delegation of bipartisan congressional chiefs of staff on a nine-day tour through China that focused on China’s efforts to develop and utilize alternative energy sources. At the start of the trip, participants met with U.S. Ambassador Huntsman, Ambassador Chen Yonglong, Vice President of CPIFA, and Zheng Zeguang , Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs. While in Beijing, the delegation also attended a seminar hosted by the National Energy Administration and toured the Beijing Simplot Food Processing Company’s facility.

Following their time in Beijing, participants traveled to Chongqing, where they would depart for a three-day cruise of the Yangtze River. Upon arriving in Chongqing, the delegation visited and toured the Chongqing City Planning Exhibition Center and had dinner with the Vice Director of the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office, Mr. Zhang Haiqing. On the evening of August 11 the delegation boarded the Victoria II and began their cruise of the Yangtze River. While on the cruise, participants partook in cultural activities, lectures, and shore excursions. For many, the highlights of the cruise entailed going on a shore excursion to the Lesser Three Gorges, sailing through the Xiling Gorge, and passing the ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam. After the cruise ended, the delegation learned more about China’s alternative energy development when they visited the Exhibition Center, Power Plant and Control Room of the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang. The delegation also enjoyed an educational tour of the Qingshan Nuclear Power Plant, the first and largest nuclear power facility in China.

Last but not least, the delegation squeezed in a trip to the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. After enjoying a tour of the Shanghai Expo grounds, participants toured the stunning China and U.S. Pavilions.

Participants in the delegation used this trip as an opportunity to apply and expand their knowledge of alternative energy development through first-hand observations and personal experiences in China. Not only did participants enjoy their time in China, but also upon their return to the United States, they have begun applying their newly acquired knowledge to their work advising members of Congress on policy regarding China and energy.

2010 Policymakers Delegation Participants:

Laura Abshire
Deputy Chief of Staff, Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR)

Marilyn Dillihay
COS, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)

Christopher Gahan
COS, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)

Elissa Levin
Legislative Director, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

Jedd Moskowitz
COS, Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY)

Susan Mosychuk
COS, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA)

Robert O’Connor
Minority Staff Director, U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security

Phil Park
Chief of Staff, Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-OH)

John Sandy
Chief of Staff, Sen. James E. Risch (R-ID)

Steven Schrage
Chief of Staff, Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA)

If you have any questions about this program,
please contact the Foundation at uscpf@uscpf.org.