Consul General Gregory May
Gregory May arrived in China on August 5, 2016 to serve as Consul General at the United States Consulate General in Shenyang. Mr. May joined the Foreign Service in 2000 and has served two previous assignments in China at the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou and at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. He has also worked at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy. In Washington, Mr. May has served as a Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, as a Senior Watch Officer in the Operations Center, and as an officer on the China and Vietnam desks.
Prior to entering the Foreign Service, Mr. May served as Assistant Director and Research Associate in Chinese Studies at The Nixon Center, a foreign policy think tank in Washington, D.C. From 1993 to 1996, he worked as a journalist for International Community Radio Taipei, an English-language radio station in Taiwan. While in Taiwan, he also worked as a correspondent for Newsweek.
Mr. May is originally from Austin, Texas and graduated from the University of Texas. He also holds a master’s degree in China Studies from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He is married to Margaret May, and they have three children.
(Source: Website of U.S. Consulate General shenyang)
Interview of Foreign Language Website of CCFAO with Consul General Gregory May of the US in Shenyang
Foreign Language Website of CCFAO: Hello, Mr. Gregory May. It is a great honor to have you with us in this interview in Shenyang City. I would first of all like to invite you to talk about your key work for Changchun City especially the achievements in economy, culture, etc.
Gregory May: Over the past two years, we two sides have maintained frequent contacts and we did have a good time in our cooperative projects.
The first one is “Choose the US”. This project was launched to introduce the investment opportunities of the US to the enterprises of your city because your enterprises are welcomed to invest in the US.
In the field of culture, we have exchange programs as well for example Art Exhibition. We organized concerts joined by American musicians in Changchun, and all such activities were very successful.
In terms of education, we have programs like Education USA from which more students from your city will have a better understanding about American higher education system and procedures of visa application, etc.
We have very good cooperation and exchanges with Changchun in economy, culture and education.
Foreign Language Website of CCFAO: These achievements are noticeable indeed. As you know, Changchun has been attaching great importance to the significance and role of global visions in city development. Could you please share with us your suggestions for the current development of Changchun City from the perspective of a senior diplomat in China?
Gregory May: My first suggestion is to maintain opening up.
I personally think Changchun is very good at communications with different countries not just with the US.
Changchun has already become a city in which the degree of opening up is pretty high. In your city, foreign nationals can feel that they are welcomed. I heard from several fellow citizens who have been living in your city that Changchun is very livable.
I think all these can attract more multinational companies and foreign enterprises to your city for investment and innovation.
My second suggestion is to continue your effort in the protection of intellectual property rights.
If their core technologies can be well protected, more entrepreneurs and researchers will be willing to invest in your city, and in turn their enthusiasm for innovation will be become even higher.
Foreign Language Website of CCFAO: Thank you for your pertinent suggestions. As you mentioned, Changchun is now forgoing ahead for opening up and exploring space for cooperation with the outside world. Your hometown is Austin. As far as I know, it takes at least three hours to drive to the coast. As such an inland city, the second largest capital in the US, Austin’s development stories are of enlightenment significance for similar cities like Changchun. Could you please tell us some of your experience?
Gregory May: My hometown Austin is relatively successful in supporting and encouraging the development of hi-tech enterprises.
In my childhood memory, Austin is a city with University of Texas as the core. It did not have much population.
Over the past 30 years especially the recent 15 years, Austin has attracted the settlement of such hi-tech enterprises as computer and medical technology, which in turn has improved its development space to a great extent.
I think with open-mindedness and more preferential policies Changchun will attract more hi-tech enterprises and the prospect of development will be more promising.
Foreign Language Website of CCFAO: Thank you for valuable suggestions. I also want to ask for your ideas about two-way investment and cooperation. What fields will you recommend?
Gregory May: First, I will recommend car making. Changchun has long been considered the Detroit of China, home to the most popular brands. The development of many suppliers of auto parts in Changchun is very good. So I put car making in the first place. Second, it is medical technology. For this, medical technologies can be transferred from the US to Changchun in which I trust there will be space for further development.
Foreign Language Website of CCFAO: You are very familiar with Changchun indeed. According to your understanding, what can be imagined and planned for pragmatic cooperation for Changchun City.
Gregory May: Thanks to the fast-growing high-speed railway, it only takes 90 minutes from Shenyang to Changchun. It is very pleasant that we can overcome spatial barrier and visit your city for cooperation and exchanges. We will continue to be committed to what we are doing at the moment and will make more students in your city know that to apply visas to study in the US is not that difficult.
We will continue arranging such cultural programs as artistic show in your city.
In addition, we are willing to facilitate the visits of your leaders to the US. Under the framework for sister city programs, more bridges can be set up between Changchun and its counterparts in the US.
Foreign Language Website of CCFAO: Thank you for your time, and thank you for what you have contributed over the past two years to the cooperation and exchanges and your assistance and support for the foreign affairs of Changchun City. Thank you very much!
Gregory May: Thank you!
Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Shenyang
No. 52, 14 Wei Road
Heping District,
Shenyang, Liaoning Province
China 110003
Tel [86] (24) 2322-1198
Fax [86] (24) 2322-2374
