Pitt Creatingand Pittsburgh:right investmentA global climate powerhousefor future

EThe year 2015 marks the ven 40th before anniversaryI came to of Pittsburgh EU-Chinato join diplomaticthe University relationsof Pittsburgh,— a milestoneI knew in our cooperativeabout the successful relationship transformationthanks to whichthat our the city EU had and underChigone.na now Yet, enjoy when one I of travelthe world’s around the biggest world, tradeI am relations.still shockedOur bilatto meeteral trade well-informedgrows even peoplebigger year who areby year. unawareIn 2014,of Pittsburgh’sthe total volume resurgence.of trade Whatin goods more, amountedthen, canto be done almost to 470 make billionthe euros world ($526 aware of the billion). successfulOver the recoveryyears, this and partcurrent nership status has of grownour city? beyondWe want trade the worldand extendedto know to of creatingand learn opporfrom our tunities success for andour businesses,we want to expandinterour national global security, connections. environmentalThe kind of protection internationaland academic exposure gained from exchange.last week’sThe summitvisit by we China’swill Vice-Premierhold in Brussels Liu is Yandongboth a recogniis one invaluabletion of the importanceway to helpof our achieve these cooperationgoals. and also an opportunity Vice-Premierto intensify Liu this and partnership.her highrankingThe European delegation Union of and ministers,China vice-ministers,are both engaged and in other serious dignitarecoies nomic paid reforms.a four-hourIn Europe visit we to are the University strengthening of the Pittsburgh governance on of the afternoonthe euro area of and June working19. Thisto boost was, according competitivenessto Liu, at her the longest national visit to level.a foreignThe European university economyever. Earlieris that showing day, clearthe delegationsigns of a broadmet with Mayor Peduto and learned about based Pittsburgh’s recovery. successfulAnd now transformawe must ensuretion fromits sustainability.a steel city to In an the educapast we tion, have medical, focused and our effortstech hub.on On reorientingthat occasion, countries’Liu also public launched expendituresthe 2015 China-USand improvingYoung Makertheir fiscal Competition, responsibility, which but fosters these “maktwo strandsers” as the cannot “true be adventurers”sustained within the out creationa third:of investment. a sustainable future, as Brian The Krzanich,315 billion CEO euro of EuropeanIntel Corp, Fundput it for during Strategicthe event. Investment aims to Liu’s foster long-termvisit carries growth significantand job creation meaning by for stimulatingthe future investof both ment. PittsburghThe politicaland Pitt, agreementespecially on since the fund Universitywas reachedand the in City May shareand a we proud are history moving of swiftly collaboration.into impleWhat mentation.is good for The one, Europeanhas proven Investto be ment unquestionablyBank has alreadygood for startedthe other.to financePitt’s long projects and worth distinguishedmore than his5 billiontory in euros. international studies and the We prestigeare not talkingof programs about any such as kindthe Asianof investmentStudies Center,but the targetedare part kindof a globalthat builds powerhouseroads, railways,status that energy is expanding networks,at an broadband increasingly and fast providespace. Risinga springboardglobal exposureto nascent will and firmly promising establish ventures,the Universitylarge and of small. PittsburghLike China among with the the very Belt and best Road universities Initiative, in we the understandworld and the its economichome city limitationsas a seat of of infrastrucinnovation ture and that knowledgedoes not that adequatelycan impactserve a the thriving world. modern economy.

Our The investment growing plan relationshipwill supbetween Pitt and China contributes portto thatthe EU’s burgeoningEnergy Union reputation.Strategy, First, which Pitt will has establishthe only the Confuciussecurity of Institute supply, in sustainabilitythe world that and has comwon petitiveness,the Confucius putting Institute energyof the effiYear ciency excellence first and award making three Europetimes. a Secworldond, Pitt leader has on the low only carbon. US-China jointA joint engineering commitment instituteto enhance located climatein western change China and and energythe only cooperone ationwith a is focusalso an on imperative. advanced We and susknow tainable that manufacturing.being ambitious Third,on cliPitt matehas the change only pays School off: of From Medicine1990 to to 2013,have partneredEU emissions with declined Tsinghua 19 Unipercentversity, a whiletop ten GDP universitygrew 45 in perChina cent.and Liu’s That’s almawhy tacklingmater, to global provide warming structured should biomedicalbe seen as researchan economic training opportunity.to the school’s medical students.The EU’s investment fund is of course Many openUS universitiesto third country view parChina ticipation, primarily notas least a source from of China. tuitionThe paying European students. Union Pitt’s is built approachon the is rule different.of law, We and are with interesteda favorable in a economic comprehensive, climate, sustainable,it is a safe haven and that mutually yields good beneficial returns relationship.on investment.This relationship is based on three interconnectedWe also see great goals: value development,in sharing sustainability,our experiencesand wellbeing.from our investmentPitt’s ties plan with for China Europe advancewith the these new goals Asian in Infrastructureboth countries. Pitt’s InvestmentConfucius InstituteBank. The providesbank Manaddresses darin-languagea genuine instructionand significantto K-12 infrastructurestudents in school investment districts gap acrossin Pennsylvania and Ohio. These Asia programsand we expandare happy children’sto be putculting tural our horizons, expertise thus at preparingthe bank’s themdisposalto competeto help in the the process global along. economy and We helpingare impressedthem to by becomethe breadth global of citizens. China’s At Belta time and Roadin which Initiative opporin tunities unleashingto study the untappedforeign languagespotentialin manyof the Eurasianschools have continent decreased, throughthe possibilitybetter connectivity,to learn suchto an improve important the languageports, roadsis a and welcomerailways additionthat connectto the educationthe Eurasian of our continentchildren. and for investment to flow Advancedmore freely manufacturingbetween us. The and EU sustainabilityand China shouldare two bring vital togethissues er in know-how,the world resourcestoday. The and joint other instistrengths,tute establishedto promoteby Pitt better and conSichnectivityuan University, between us. one of the very best But schoolsbefore layingin China, down will the provide bricksa superb and platformmortar of for any the projects United we States should and create China the to right collaborateinvestmenton these climate, issues. including Incorporatingfor example, the the world-classright technical experience standardsof theto build Swanson state-of-the-artSchool of infrastructure Engineering, andthe new ensure institutegood relationswill contribute between to neighboringthe development countries.of China’s western region, Investment home in to each nearly other’sa quarter econof omiesthe country’sis a win-win population.and the right vehicle Pitt’s for cutting-edgethis is to continue program our with negotiationsTsinghua Universityfor a Comprehensivetrains and Agreementequips Chineseon Investment, healthcare which profeswe sionals launched with at the the abilitylast summitto applyin 2013 modern and biologicalwhich we will science discussto solve clinical problems. This program is anew particularlyat this summit. relevant for China as the Our country agreement embarks should on reflecta majora high health level care of ambitionreform to and address the include wellbeing not of justits population.investor protection Throughoutbut real markether visit accessto Pitt,for Liu business witnessed on first-handboth sides. the These quality are of prerequisitesPitt’s programs. for She advanced learned econoabout mies Pitt’s such standingas the as EUa top and ten China.US uniShowingversity in that federalwe can research come funding,to an ambitiousour leading investmentposition in agreementsuch fields is as the internationalnecessary signal studies we and need engito give neering, businessesour extensiveand markets. communityIt will outreachbe a basis programs,to develop and our the relaunitionship.versity’s superiority in the medical field The as EU wellis a as strongits distinctiveand reliable partpartner nership for with China UPMC. and our economies Standingare ever more curbside intertwined,in front to of our Scaife mutual Hall, benefit.at the end of her fourhour There visit,is a Madam Chinese Liu proverbput that aside roughly formality translatesand protocolas “the and energy spoke of with the greatnew generation enthusiasm inspiresabout Pitt’s the future old”. roleAs we,as a China leading and institutionthe EU, meetin China.in Brussels,I can tellI am you happy without that any we doubtscan nowthat takeshe left this Pittsburgh cooperation fully forward understanding— followingall that in the our Universityforefathers’and the steps,City have from to generationoffer the world.to generation, and breathe new life into The our author partnership.is senior director of International Programs and The director authorof theis the University president Centerof the Europeanfor International Commission. Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.