Red Circle

Professor Stephen Songsheng Chen has achieved great success in leading major U.S. corporations into the surging China and Far East markets, as well as establishing and operating his own companies: Amerihua International Enterprises Inc. & Red Circle Publishing & Cultural Exchange International. He recently published his Red Circle: China and Me, 1949-2009, the first book of its kind to cover the making of modern China through the author's true, fascinating stories. Seeking common ground while respecting differences remains to be Stephen's mission to improve cultural exchanges and mutual understanding among peoples in various countries for a better future of the world. Born in 1939 in Beijing, Stephen Chen grew up in a 120-room mansion that had been the palace of a Qing dynasty aristocrat. He graduated from the Beijing Foreign Languages Institute in 1962. After three years in prison and in a desert labor camp as the son of a labeled Rightist, he was called back to Beijing unexpectedly to become a member of the translation team preparing for the visit of President Nixon in 1972. His colorful business experience began in 1978, when China started its open policy. Stephen, with dozens of colleagues, pioneered the initial development of China International Trust & Investment Corp. (CITIC) which became China's largest investment group and holding company. He and his colleagues negotiated, concluded and implemented many significantly large trading transactions and cooperative programs between China and western companies, such as Beatrice Foods, Xerox, Siemens, SAAB, Lockheed, Renault, Terex, Fiat, and major Hong Kong companies. He also served as an interpreter for China state leaders.