Newsroom

23 September 2010 – San Francisco, CA: On the heels of a successful first year of promoting business exchange between China and San Francisco, ChinaSF (www.sfced.org/international/chinasf) has named Ginny Fang as its new Executive Director. Fang’s new role and the organization’s  growth will be marked by a reception on Wednesday, September 29 featuring remarks and insights from Dr. Keyong Ren, M.D., Ph.D. Chief Investment Director Healthcare Fund for the China Construction Bank International (CCBI). Ren, who is visiting from Bejing and has recently joined the Advisory Board for ChinaSF, will be speaking on “Trends in Chinese Investment into the US Biotech and Life Sciences Industry.”

 

“In ChinaSF's inaugural period, despite a sharp learning curve, we truly exceeded expectations in achieving tangible economic results for San Francisco,” said Fang, who has been serving with the organization since its inception in late 2008. “Now, with an exponentially greater understanding of how to leverage this platform and San Francisco's strengths, and also with a US/China business network that is both broad and deep, I am energized and inspired to lead ChinaSF.“

 

With offices in Shanghai and San Francisco, ChinaSF is a public-private initiative of the San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED), in close partnership with the City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), supported by funding from private sector partners.  Its goal is to attract and retain Chinese investment and business expansion into San Francisco and the Bay Area, and to also support San Francisco Bay Area businesses in their business efforts in China.

 

“Ginny’s leadership has been crucial to the success of ChinaSF and making San Francisco the North American gateway for China,” said Phil Ting, ChinaSF Board Chair and San Francisco Assessor-Recorder. “Through Ginny’s leadership, we have been able to forge a new level of partnership with Chinese businesses, illustrated in next week’s upcoming visit by Dr. Ren and his participation in our distinguished advisory board.”

 

As the Chief Investment Director of China Construction Bank International’s Healthcare Fund, Dr.Ren is well-positioned to discuss the priorities, interest, and capacity of Chinese financial institutions as they seek partnerships with and investment opportunities in US biotech/life science/pharmaceutical companies. The September 29th event offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into current trends of Chinese investment into the US biotech/life sciences industry, and their implications for cross-border commercial opportunities between China and the United States.

 

“We are so honored that Dr. Ren has accepted our invitation to be our most recent addition to ChinaSF’s distinguished Advisory Board,” said Fang. “As part of the Board, Dr. Ren will help advise ChinaSF on how to better leverage cross border opportunities towards the benefit of San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay Area economy.”

 

Having worked for San Francisco communities for over a decade, Fang is known for her aptitude in working with different sectors towards achieving public policy goals.  Her expertise has been brought to bear in realms business, government entities, advocacy, grass roots organizations, nonprofits and community organizing.   Fang has advised senior elected officials and government agencies on policy implementation in multiple policy arenas including City budgeting, air quality, environmental justice, community leadership, and organizational development.  Her past policy research includes municipal taxation, transportation, low-wage labor, and workforce policy.

 

“China and San Francisco share historic ties,” said Fang, who divides her time between China and San Francisco. “I am continuing to build deeper relationships with a number of Chinese and San Francisco Bay Areaclients, to help them further their international expansion interests, particularly in the innovations industries, including biotech and venture capital investment. Also, a major part of my work in China is to extend our network to new partners -- both in government and private business partners – all major players in markets of interest on both sides of the Pacific.”

 

Between 2008 and 2010, amidst one of the worst financial crises in history, ChinaSF successfully facilitated the expansion of over 10 companies to San Francisco, and helped a similar number of Bay Area based companies make important business connections in China.  In addition to the financial investment into the Bay Area, ChinaSF’s efforts have directly created over 120 jobs for the Bay Area not counting any resulting multiplier effects and benefits.

 

“At ChinaSF, we focus particularly on the cleantech, biotech, digital media and finance industries. These are strong in San Francisco, and are also growing in China.  And, of course, we also help connect San Francisco Bay Area companies to opportunities in China,” Fang continues. “Because San Francisco is the premier gateway for Chinese companies that want to invest, expand, or sell into North America, Chinese companies have a greater chance for successful US expansion by starting in San Francisco.”

Fang received her Masters in Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at U.C. Berkeley, focusing on international economic development.  Her undergraduate studies were completed at Dartmouth College.  She was born in Taiwan, grew up in the Bay Area and has lived in San Francisco for over 10 years. 

 

The September 29th event will be held at the offices of K&L Gates, LLP (4 Embarcadero Cetner, Suite 1200). Registration is at 4:30pm followed by a program at 5pm featuring remarks by Mr. Ren and his remarks on “Trends in Chinese Investment into the US Biotech and Life Sciences Industry. A reception will follow at 6pm.  The event is sponsored by ChinaSF with additional sponsorship and support from and County of San Francisco - Office of Economicand Workforce Development, he San Francisco Center for Economic Development and San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Space is limited with online registration required at http://chinasf-biotech.eventbrite.com/

 

Dr. Keyong Ren, M.D., Ph.D, is the Chief Investment Director at China Construction Bank International (CCBI) Healthcare (Chinese Currency) Fund, overseeing the Fund's deal sourcing and investment in private companies in China as well as public companies in Hong Kong. He is also responsible for CCBI's initiative in setting up CCBI Healthcare USD Fund. Prior to the position, Dr. Ren has been the founder and key executive of several start-up companies in pharmaceutical development or services in both China and the United States over the past 10 years, including ImmunoVentis, Inc., AHT Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Novemed. Dr. Ren has a medical degree in China, a Ph. D. from SUNY at Buffalo, and a post-doctoral fellow at the Rockfeller University.

 

About China Construction Bank International

CCB International (Holdings) Ltd (CCB International) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the China Construction Bank (CCB) in Hong Kong. CCB International has established the CCB International Capital Limited, CCB International Finance Limited, CCB International Asset Management Limited, CCB International Securities Limited and CCB International Investment (Beijing).

 

About ChinaSF

ChinaSF is the premiere organization supporting business exchange into and out of San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay Area with China. With offices in Shanghai and San Francisco, ChinaSF is a public-private initiative of the San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED), in close partnership with the City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), supported by funding from private sector partners. Its goal is to attract and retain Chinese investment and business expansion into San Francisco and the Bay Area, and to also support San Francisco Bay Area businesses in their business efforts in China.