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Press Release

America Celebration 2000 to Start This Week

The Commercial Section of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is excited to announce the many special events that will take place during the America Celebration 2000, which is being launched ahead of the United States' commemoration of Independence on July 4th. This year, special America Celebration 2000 events will include the formal launch of the much anticipated USA Sources web site; the grand opening of several U.S. state offices in Taiwan; a charity donation and a movie premiere; the launch of the Visit USA Committee's web site; a day of Innovative Business-Management Training; and the launch of the U.S.-Taiwan Trade Partner Program.

On Monday, July 3rd, the AIT Commercial Section and the Association of American State Offices (ASOA) will present the official USA Sources web site, a site dedicated to making commerce between Taiwan and the U.S. easier for importers and buyers. There will also be a presentation of the USA Sources newsletter and sourcing support service to the Taiwan Importers & Exporters Chamber of Commerce.

Later in the afternoon of July 3rd, ASOA and AIT Commercial Section will host a press conference to announce the grand opening of several U.S. state offices in Taiwan. Participants at the press conference include representatives from the U.S. states of Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey -- each of which is opening a new representative/trade office in Taiwan. Establishing these offices will greatly emphasize and facilitate the growing trade relationship between Taiwan and individual states within the United States.

On Tuesday July 4th, Taiwan and U.S. business communities will come together for a worthy cause. America Celebration 2000 will feature two main events that day, a charity donation and a major-studio movie premiere, both keyed to the theme of 'children.' This charity donation will be the featured event at a glittering reception, and will be followed immediately by a premiere screening of the Warner Bros. film, My Dog Skip. In keeping with the "children"s theme, the beneficiaries of the charity donation will be children of kindergarten age from Lanyu (Orchid Island).

The July 4th movie premiere and charity donation to benefit children in Taiwan will profile U.S. capabilities in the areas of Internet services (particularly e-commerce and online auction), mass media, mall development, retailing, and consumer-goods franchising. AIT is working with Ronald McDonald House Charities, Taiwan to arrange for proceeds which are expected to exceed NT$1 million. Funds raised by this charity auction will be used to upgrade the educational environment for children who reside in remote aboriginal areas. American corporate donors of the charity drive include Microsoft Taiwan, Warner Bros., Warner Village, McDonald's Restaurants (Taiwan) Co. Ltd., Aetna Life Insurance, AT&T Communications Services, Costco, Planet Hollywood, and online partners (Yahoo! Taiwan, Coca-Cola, Far Eastone, Hilton Hotel, Nike, and Northwest Airlines).

UNI Airways, a leading Taiwan airline company, has made it possible for 10 kindergarten children and their guardians to be flown to join us at the July 4th reception and share their dancing skills. Warner Village, Planet Hollywood, and Howard Plaza have generously made their facilities available for the scheduled events.

America Celebration 2000 activities continue on Wednesday, July 5th, when the newly established Visit USA Committee in Taiwan launches its Visit USA website. The Visit USA website is designed to further promote tourism and travel to the United States. The Visit USA Committee, part of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, is dedicated to promoting travel and tourism from Taiwan to the United States. The Committee includes U.S. state offices, members of the travel and tourism industry, airlines, hotels, and related businesses.

July 6th America Celebration 2000 focuses on U.S. management training. In line with celebrating the American spirit of sharing and partnership building, July 6th (Thursday) is designated as a day of Innovative Business-Management Training. It is a day for exploring new ways to build technology partnerships and networks with leading Taiwan small and medium-sized enterprises, the AIT Cultural & Information Section, the AIT Commercial Section, Taipei Community Service Center, American Center of Sun Yat-sen University in Kaohsiung, Thunderbird University of Arizona, and Acer Aspire Academy in Longtan. Novel methods of management training, such as cyber-distance learning and e-training will be introduced. Presenters will also stress the impact of cross-cultural differences on conducting international business, as well as the importance of managerial awareness of various business information channels and formats.

The final event for America Celebration 2000 features the Commercial Section launch of its Trade Partner Program, an initiative to better market our services to Taiwan business.

Overall, the various events of the week are expected to highlight the promising trade relationship between Taiwan and the United States, and facilitate continuation of those ties.