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From Today's TMJ 4 Milwaukee (WTMJ)

Local Business Leaders Give Olympic Insight

Watch the Video at:

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/26429804.html?video=YHI&t=a

By Tom Murray and Katie DeLong
Posted: Aug 8, 2008

MILWAUKEE - For so long, China hid behind the curtain of communism. Now, there is celebration here in Milwaukee as Beijing takes the world's center stage.


"China's still a mystery country to so many foreigners,” William Ho’s Lobster House manager Thomas Lo said.


Lo hopes the Olympics will show there's much more to his country than Chinese food.


“This is an international event and everybody's looking at it,” Lo said.


China's become almost a second home for Milwaukee’s Bob Kraft. He's been to Beijing three times this year.


"They want to show the good things that are happening there. They're not perfect, but I’m not sure we're perfect here either,” Kraft said.


Kraft's business, First Pathway Partners, aims to attract Chinese entrepreneurs to Wisconsin. Walk into his office in the Third Ward and you'll be greeted by a giant Chinese warrior brass statue.


"For business, he represents good luck,” Kraft said.


Knowing Chinese beliefs about good fortune, it's no mistake the games are starting on 8-8-08


"One tradition in their heritage is eight is the luckiest number of any number,” Kraft said.


Sports have already been a great door opener between Milwaukee and China, especially basketball.


"Yi Jianlian being here for just a year helped us significantly when 300 million people in China watched the Rockets and the Bucks play,” Kraft said.


As for Lo, he hopes the Olympics will encourage new visitors.


"Now we are opening a little bit, so people are welcome to visit China,” Lo said.