There are dozens of things that can come out of a trip to China or any other country for that matter:

Chinese tourists are swarming across the globe with pockets full of cash -- they are more and more interested in the natural, unspoiled place of the planet eg NW USA -- this reflects the destruction of their own unspoiled places ...

which leads to number 2: cities across China are now looking to green, organic and sustainable development options. This has come down as a mandate from the central government and has been enthusiastically promoted by the Olympics. Cities like Kunming, Qingdao, Chengdu, Hangzhou etc etc are all looking abroad for partnerships in this industry *green* because they lack the experience and know-how

Chinese banks are flush with cash and are tightening their flows in China, which has led to a rush to invest abroad. China has enjoyed billions in FDI over the past 20 years -- maybe now its *our* turn to benefit from outside investment.

Portland is a culturally dynamic city and the young Chinese are starving for more input from abroad AND for forums to let their voices be heard -- this might not be a purely economic endeavor, but it is a bond across oceans. And it might be interesting to note that China just recently surpassed France in number of art auctions held and amount of capital generated ...

Trips to China or Country X are vital for growing, vibrant towns like Portland because it helps local small businesses diversify, encourages investment, increases social, political and cultural links and helps people across vast spaces realize common dreams, such as the huge 13sqm "Sustainable Green Park and Leisure Village" in south Chengdu that would trip over itself to partner up with a like-minded Oregonian ...