Philadelphia, Tianjin Explore Trade Opportunities

June 23, 2016

PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA - Philadelphia and Tianjin delegation exchange details on trade and investment opportunities for both regions at recent meeting in Philadelphia

On June 2, 2016, the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) hosted a breakfast meeting at the Philadelphia law offices of White & Williams LLC (a WTCGP Leadership Council Member) for a delegation of numerous officials from Tianjin, China.

During the meeting, participants explored best opportunities for cooperation to expand trade and investment between Tianjin and the Binhai New Area and Greater Philadelphia. With the growing need for advanced medical care in China and the interest of Chinese students to attend U.S. colleges and universities, promising sectors identified included health (including medical tourism) and higher education, both strengths of the Greater Philadelphia Region. In addition, Tianjin delegation officials agreed to assist WTCGP member companies in accessing and facilitating business connections and opportunities in in Tianjin. Delegation Chair Zhang Tiejun concluded the meeting by extending a personal invitation to the City and Greater Philadelphia Region to visit Tianjin and the Binhai New Area. This included the possibility of a 2017 trade mission to Sister City, Tianjin, organized by the City of Philadelphia.

This successful visit illustrated the power of connection – between the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and its fellow world trade centers worldwide and the collaboration among the City’s and the Region’s trade-related organizations working together to help companies and communities grow through global trade and investment.

[Photo Gallery]

Background on the Delegation Visit: The Value and Reach of the World Trade Center Network
Both nationally and regionally, China remains an important market for U.S. exporters. In our region, China ranks as the third largest market for Pennsylvania and the seventh largest for New Jersey. It is not surprising, then, that in China alone, there are more than 40 world trade centers, representing thousands of members and prospective business partners and customers for companies in our region. The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, in keeping with its mission to accelerate global business growth for companies in the Region, provides companies with important connections to its fellow world trade centers in China and around the world.

The World Trade Center Association Tianjin reached out to the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia to organize a visit to Philadelphia of officials from Tianjin, including representatives from the Binhai New Area special development zone. Founded in 1989, the WTC Tianjin provides international trade services including economic and trade information, exhibitions, matchmaking, trade missions, and training. The WTC Tianjin acted as the organizer for the Tianjin delegation’s trip to Philadelphia.

Philadelphia maintains an active, 36 – year Sister City relationship with Tianjin. The purpose of the visit is to build upon this valuable history and expand connections between Tianjin and the Binhai New Area and Greater Philadelphia companies and trade organizations leading to increased trade and investment.

Tianjin and the Binhai New Area
Located in northern coastal China, Tianjin has a total population of more than 15 million people, making the municipality the fourth largest in China. Tianjin is fast becoming a hub city for international shipping and logistics, manufacturing and research and development. Created in 2009, Tianjin Binhai New Area is located in northeast China, in the coastal region of the Tianjin municipality and has been designated by the Chinese government as a special development zone. The area includes a Free Trade Zone, an international seaport, and an international airport. It is a 30 minute high-speed train ride from Beijing. There are 141 Global 500 companies with operations in Binhai New Area. Major sectors are: aerospace, petroleum chemical, electronic information, automobile, biological medicine, new energy, grain and oil textile, and finance.

Tianjin-Philadelphia Delegation Meeting Attendees (June 2, 2016)
Featured speakers included:

  • Linda Mysliwy Conlin, President, WTCGP
  • Gary P. Biehn, Board Chairman, and White and Williams LLP, Chairman, China Business Group and International Group 
  • Siobhan Lyons, President and CEO, Citizens Diplomacy International
  • Matt Cabrey, Executive Director, Select Greater Philadelphia
  • Eric Cao, Deputy Division Chief, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, World Trade Center Association (WTC) Tianjin
  • Zhang Tiejun, Deputy Director, People’s Government of Tianjin Binhai New Area

WTCGP Member companies and institutions participating in the meeting included:

  • Dr. John Bennett, President and CEO, Devon International
  • Julie Mostov, PhD, Senior Vice Provost Global Initiatives, Drexel University
  • Jeffrey Ji, President, U-Combination Technology
  • John O’Brien, International Sales Manager, Education Management Systems

To read the original article, click on the source link below: 

Source

More News

WTCGP Women's Breakfast Roundtable

March 11, 2026 - In celebration of International Women's Day, World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia and the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia hosted a breakfast roundtable on Monday, March 9 at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, gathering leaders from the Philadelphia international business community. The event was centered on womanhood on a global scale, exploring how women in international business are building opportunity across borders, shaping the next generation of leaders, and leveraging global networks for impact here in Philadelphia. The program began with welcoming remarks and sponsor insights from RKL LLP and Citrin Cooperman. Participants then introduced themselves around the table before moving into a moderated discussion. Throughout the conversation, we discussed our paths into international business, our mentors and networks that have helped shape our careers. We discussed how the field of international business has evolved and how we can collaborate to change it even further. Communities and conversations such as the one we had this week, reflect our mission to strengthening connections and supporting the leaders who drive international business in our region. Read More

WTC Winnipeg & WTCGP Deepen Cross-Border Links

December 2, 2025 - In mid-November, World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia President & CEO, Thomas Young, and Chief External Affairs Officer, Tom Levy, traveled to Winnipeg to meet with World Trade Centre Winnipeg’s team, deepening the growing relationship between our two regions and exploring opportunities ahead of the 2026 WTCA GBF, to be held April 19-22 in Philadelphia. Over two days of meetings, tours, and roundtable discussions, WTCGP connected with leaders across Manitoba’s manufacturing, agriculture, life sciences, logistics, technology, and economic development communities. The visit reinforced what both regions already know: Philadelphia and Winnipeg share real synergies, and there is significant potential for bilateral trade and collaboration.’ Representatives from Bioscience Association Manitoba, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, CentrePort Canada, Manitoba Environmental Industries Association, Supply Chain Manitoba, and others shared perspectives on shared challenges, emerging opportunities, and the importance of creating continuity between the two regions. Many noted that participation in GBF creates meaningful follow-through, giving businesses the chance to reconnect with partners they met the year before. Every attending partner that Winnipeg brought to the 2025 GBF in Marseilles has expressed interest in attending the 2026 event in Philadelphia, further endorsing the value of attending. Government engagement helped reinforce the momentum of the visit. In meetings with Deputy Mayor Markus Chambers and Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Jamie Moses, both sides talked openly about where the regions naturally align and how they can build long-term connections. Thomas Young emphasized the shared strengths across manufacturing, life sciences, agriculture, logistics, and technology, and noted that Philadelphia chose Winnipeg as its only Canadian stop because of the strong relationship between the two World Trade Centers. Minister Moses underscored the value of these conversations, reminding the group that “when you make a business investment, you invest in people.” Deputy Mayor Chambers echoed the sentiment, expressing interest in continuing the collaboration and finding practical ways for both regions to move forward together. The visit also included an in-depth look at CentrePort Canada, where its strategic position as a trimodal inland port and the new rail park development demonstrated how significantly the region is expanding its logistics capacity. The tour of Fort Garry Fire Trucks offered an inside look at Winnipeg’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, including fire trucks shipped across the world—with some even making their way to Pennsylvania. Across every meeting and conversation, the themes stayed consistent: shared strengths, aligned sectors, strong leadership, and a network that opens doors across 300+ cities worldwide. As Tom Levy put it, “ Joining our network is like opening 300 doors across the globe.” The visit concluded with a clear sense of purpose. Both WTCs recognize the value of strengthening these ties and the opportunity ahead with the Global Business Forum. With Philadelphia hosting GBF in April 2026, WTCGP looks forward to welcoming Winnipeg’s business community and continuing to build a partnership rooted in real trade potential and global opportunity. Read More