ASIA DESK at San Diego World Trade Center Leads California's Largest Trade Mission; California World Trade Centers to Sponsor ``Spirit of California'' Event at World Trade Centers Association General Assembly in Shanghai, China.

SAN DIEGO -- ASIA DESK at San Diego World Trade Center (SDWTC) is leading the largest trade mission ever organized to another country in the history of the state of California. The China Trade Mission and Discovery Tour is a joint effort of the World Trade Centers of San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California, Oxnard, Los Angeles-Long Beach, and the State of California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the statewide California Trade Partners, and other trade associations. The 113 delegates will learn about economic, political, cultural, and social orientations in China. The trade mission runs from September 16-25, 2005, and lays the foundation for valuable business opportunities for Californians in China and for Chinese in California. The mission will begin in Beijing with receptions, various business briefings, including a 2008 Beijing Olympic business briefing, and sightseeing, and end in Shanghai, where participants will be among the 600 attendees at the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) 36th General Assembly.

In an effort to share with the world the "Spirit of California" and promote business in San Diego and California, the ASIA DESK, in partnership with the California World Trade Centers and Shanghai World Trade Center, is sponsoring a reception and dinner for General Assembly delegates, as well as key Chinese government agencies, service providers, and manufacturers/traders, on Thursday night, September 22, at the InterContinental Hotel in Shanghai. Highlights of the event include California products and services displays, the IMAX-produced film "Wild California," and presentations from key California trade, business, and government leaders. Bella Heule, president/CEO of the San Diego World Trade Center, will serve as event moderator and speakers will include Cen Furong, President of WTC Shanghai; Guy Tozzoli, President WTCA; Eddy Chan, Head of FedEx China; and Ron Roberts, Supervisor, County of San Diego; plus leaders from the Bay Area and Los Angeles-Long Beach World Trade Centers.

Trade mission attendees represent San Diego technical and scientific companies, law firms, financial institutions, trade organizations, the tourist industry, real estate firms, transportation and shipping companies, educational institutions, and the County of San Diego. Several members have accompanied the SDWTC on previous trade missions.

"When thinking about business and industry in California, San Diego is often not the first city that comes to mind but it actually plays a major role in business and commerce with Asia," explained Scott Wang, director ASIA DESK, San Diego World Trade Center. "San Diego has the only California World Trade Center with an ASIA DESK. Members of the SDWTC include companies that want to conduct business in Asia as well as service providers to help facilitate that business. Mention of China often brings negative thoughts or fear of losing business to China but bridging relationships between the two countries has brought more business and revenue to San Diego."

"This is the SDWTC's 11th trade mission to Asia, eight of which will have gone to China, and it's the largest by far," continued Mr. Wang. "We have been working with the major California World Trade Centers, trade centers within the United States and China, and have organized a major event at the annual World Trade Centers Association General Assembly to showcase California, and San Diego in particular. We have received major support and participation from the County of San Diego; FedEx; Unified Port of San Diego; San Diego County Regional Airport Authority; San Diego's oldest law firm, Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps; San Diego Convention Center Corporation; San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation; high tech companies such as QUALCOMM, Axesstel Wireless, and Quantum Design; and educational institutions such as San Diego State University and University of California San Diego. San Diego is in the prime position to lead and benefit from relationships with China and all of Asia. Our next trade mission will be to India this November. ASIA DESK wants to make sure that San Diego is in on the ground floor of Asian business and trade opportunities with the United States."

Bruce Hueners, COO for Palomar Technologies, a leader in precision automation equipment and process development for microelectronic assembly, discussed the benefits of ASIA DESK and its China trade missions to a high tech company. Mr. Hueners said: "Under the guidance of the ASIA DESK of the SDWTC, Palomar Technologies joined with several local companies to form the San Diego Pavilion at the China Hi-Tech Trade Fair last year. Contacts made at this event and the associated activities have resulted in significant ongoing business for Palomar. Furthermore, we are pleased to be associated with the SDWTC for the rich networking opportunities and spirited leadership they provide."

S. Elizabeth Foster, partner, Business and International Services Groups at Luce Forward, said: "Luce Forward is honored to be a Silver Sponsor of this important and historic Trade Mission. Last year, we were a sponsor of the San Diego World Trade Center's Trade Mission to China, which included a San Diego Pavilion at the China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen. That Trade Mission was a great experience for Luce Forward as it helped us better understand the opportunities and challenges for California companies entering the Chinese marketplace. As an international corporate lawyer, my job is to help companies do business. I am returning to China this year because I see so many opportunities for partnerships, cross-border investments, joint ventures, outsourcing, and other business relationships between California companies and Chinese companies. Many of our clients in California are taking first steps toward establishing business in China. Others have been in China for a while. Luce Forward will be there to help them on both sides of the Pacific."

About the World Trade Center Association General Assembly

The WTCA General Assembly (GA) is an annual gathering of 278 WTC license holders from 78 countries around the world. The Shanghai GA features an International Cooperation and Exchange for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Shanghai Forum. The Forum will be presented by senior officials from the China Ministry of Commerce, China National Reform and Development Commission, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and Shanghai Municipal People's Government. In addition, the GA will organize information and matchmaking sessions in major industries, including transportation, warehousing, and retail and professional services. The California WTCs view this important GA as an exceptional opportunity to promote California and to highlight participating individuals and companies.

Sponsors of the trade mission and the Spirit of California reception and dinner are:

Title Sponsor:
 FedEx

Gold Sponsors:
 Key Bank
 Port of Oakland
 State of California -- Business Transportation and Housing
 San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

Silver Sponsors:
 Bay Area Economic Forum
 City of Oakland
 Economic Development Alliance for Business
 International Technoprint, Inc.
 Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP
 Peralta Community College District
 The Port of Long Beach

Supporting Sponsors:
 Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
 Porter Novelli
 QUALCOMM, Inc.
 Transrapid International-USA, Inc.

About San Diego World Trade Center (SDWTC)

SDWTC provides comprehensive international trade services and key global contacts to facilitate and expand trade for regional and worldwide clients. Leveraging its global network of World Trade Centers and affiliate partners, SDWTC is the proven forum for international information, communications, and connections. For more information contact Beth Abbott at phone: [phone] x109, e-mail: [e-mail], or visit the website at www.sdwtc.org.