Definition of CASIC

The Council of American States in China (CASIC) brings together the representative offices of American States, Cities, Tourism Authorities and Ports located in China to better serve the overall mission of U.S. State Offices in China.

Our primary objectives are to:

1. Serve as a bridge to promote Trade, Tourism, Logistic, Education and Investment between the U.S. and China.
2. Promote a positive image of our States and of the United States of America as a whole.
3. Create mutually beneficial opportunities for U.S. Pavilions at major trade shows and investment events of interest to CASIC members.
4. Facilitate strong working relationships with other trade organizations, Chambers of Commerce, and Chinese Government agencies.
5. Share information and networking opportunities.
6. Maintain high standards of performance by all CASIC members.
7. Nurture cooperation and communication with old friends and new!

What is a state?

The simple answer would be the equivalent of China’s provinces and autonomous regions, but this misses much of what makes the US’ government structure unique in the world.

When the United States of America declared independence from Great Britain on July 4th, 1776, the organization of the new government was just being defined. The Declaration of Independence was in fact made by 13 very separate government organizations – the predecessors of the first US states – working together. When the US Constitution was drafted ten years later, the relationship between the individual states and the federal government was crafted so that only very specific authority was granted to the US federal government. Most government authority continues to be held by state governments rather than by the US federal government; visitors to the US usually recognize this fact in the differences in highway speed limits, drinking age, marriage and gambling laws between the states. The 10th Amendment of the US Constitution states that:

• Corporate Registration
  
• Local Taxation (e.g. excise, property, sales tax, etc.)
  
• Land Usage
  
• Criminal and Civil Law (Including Punishments)
  
• Infrastructure management
  
• Utility Regulation
  
• National Guard (state militias)
  
• Accreditation of Professionals (e.g. lawyers, architects, engineers, etc.)

The US states are also responsible for:

• Public Education (including Universities)
• Medical Care and Welfare insurance
• Transportation Infrastructure construction and maintenance
• Workplace Safety, Environmental Enforcement
• Setting Public Utility Rates

How to learn more about the States?

• CASIC – Council of American States in China
  This is, of course, the best place to learn about what individual US states and cities are doing in China.
  
• Council of State Governments
  CSG is a non-profit organization representing individual US States in Washington, DC
• US Embassy – US Foreign Commercial Service
  The US Embassy and Consulates in China are partners of CASIC, extending the reach of our organization and our members.
  
• Wikipedia
  A good overview of what a US State is and how the relationship between the states and Federal government works.

Board Members

President - Mr. Paul Swenson 
Tel:     (86-21) 6867-1005
Email: paul.swenson@thechinahand.com

Vice President – Mr. David Snodgrass
Tel:     (86-10) 6410-6050
Email: dsnodgrass@kentuckychinatrade.com

Secretary General - Ms. Candice Ho
Tel:     (86-21) 6356-1700
Email: secretary@casic.us

Treasurer - Mr. Cao, Guoli 
Tel:    (86-21) 6373-1830
Email: caoguoli@idahochina.org

Event Coordinator - Mr. John Ling
Tel:    (86-21) 5054-0116
Email: jling@commerce.state.sc.us