A Chinese-American girl born in the 1970s met with two female leaders of the Ministry level in Beijing in one single day.
On March 28, Minister Qiu Yuanping of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council met with Ms. Angela Chao and her husband, Mr. Jim Breyer.
Minister Qiu praised Dr. James S.C. Chao (father of Ms. Angela Chao) and the Chao family, for both building a successful international business and also raising six outstanding daughters. She remarked that the Chao family has made great contributions to foster US-China trade and cultural relations and exchanges. On the same day, President Li Xiaolin of The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries met with Ms. Angela Chao and her husband. Both exchanged their ideas about fostering US-China cultural exchange and friendship among their people.
Ms. Angela Chao began her work with Foremost Group in 1996 to be the only one of her sisters to succeed her father’s business. She worked her way up from an entry level finance position. From 2001-2008, Ms. Chao was Vice President and then Senior Vice President of Foremost Group concentrating on ship operations and ship management.
“I entered into family business solely based on my own interest. From a very young age, I admired my parents for building up this business. They founded Foremost Group in a humble desire to survive, and I would like to continue their legacy for the hard work they put into it for us for so many years. “
As her career grows, Angela Chao started to put her effort into fostering US-China economic and cultural cooperation. She served on the Young Leaders Forum of the National Committee on US-China Relations. In recent years, she goes back to China with her father or by herself four to six times a year, which includs meeting with government officials, visiting schools, business partnership, attending forums, etc. Her husband, Jim Breyer is also the honorary professor of Yuelu Academy and Hunan University and he has invested in many companies in China, especially in the technology industry.
At the Boao Asia Forum “One Belt, One Road” Women Roundtable on March 25, Angela Chao recommended that we need to correct a misinformed stereotype by some that women are indecisive and or not as natural leaders as men. Hopefully countries along “One Belt, One Road” can emphasize the importance of education of women, especially the impacts on women leadership.
“We will continue our parents’ example and tradition to cherish our Chinese roots.” Angela said, “With the rapid development and progress of China, it has created opportunities for other countries in the world. The “One Belt, One Road” initiative is very important not only to China’s development, but for the many surrounding and neighboring countries, and thus the world, and the impact is being felt already. I hope to also be able to contribute to this important initiative that has the potential to raise the standard of living for so many.”