Leading Chinese Scholars To Gather In Coeur D’Alene Two-Day Seminar May Give Business People Insight Into China

Thirty leading Chinese scholars will descend on Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday to discuss China’s politics and culture.

Scholars from China, the United States, Australia and Europe will converge on The Coeur d’Alene Resort for the two-day seminar, the first of its kind in the western United States.

And definitely the first in Idaho.

The seminar is part of the Historical Society for 20th Century China and part of Lewis-Clark State College’s annual International Exchange Conference.

“One of the most compelling things about this for the average Idahoan is the connection to this area’s history,” said Marilyn Levine, professor of Asian history. “It’s exciting that Hecla has become a sponsor and it’s to their credit that they are upholding that heritage.”

Historically, the gem state is no stranger to the Pacific Rim. During the late 1800s, many Chinese worked in Idaho mines.

In 1995, Idaho’s exports to China totalled $3.7 million, according to Idaho Department of Commerce.

Jacklin Seed Co. of Post Falls, which was recently sold to J.R. Simplot of Boise, knows the value of the Pacific Rim.

Jacklin is seeing its golf-turf seed industry boom in Asia, said Matt Emmons, manager for China and Southeast Asia.

Approximately 10 percent of the company’s total sales are in China.

“Several years ago we were selling nothing in China,” he said. Now the company is reaping its rewards, and they plan on growing perhaps 20 percent by the end of next year.

“Our ability to double that growth rate is so important.”

Although this week’s seminar is mostly academic, with professors reading papers on topics ranging from the Chinese elite to gender roles, it’s still important to understand Chinese culture, Levine said.

“I think it will give (business people) insight into social and cultural context. This is a unique opportunity for them,” she said.

Emmons concurs.

“We’ve got to understand,” he said. “It’s really important for American people to understand the different way (the Chinese have) of looking at things.”

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