On the other day, I had a visit from a manager who had just returned from his business trip to China. He came to my office to report on his business trip, holding something like a large scroll under his arm. To my question, he explained that it was a gift from Mr. Wang JianYi, Chairman of Futong Group Co., Ltd. in China. He had carefully carried it with him on the plane.

Opening it, I found a gorgeous hanging scroll that was 2 meters long and 80 cm wide. Written on it in powerful brushstrokes was a Chinese poem that looked familiar to me. That was the poem I had presented at the signing ceremony to commemorate the establishment of our joint ventures last October. Mr. Wang had ordered a Chinese calligrapher to write it for me. It was a big surprise.

I couldn’t help bringing it back home to show my wife. Putting aside the quality of my Chinese poem, she was also very much delighted about the wonderful scroll. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough room to hang it at home, and so I will keep it at my company with care.

Even after Lehman’s collapse, the demand for optical-fiber related products has been increasing mainly in the Chinese market, and accordingly, our three venture companies that manufacture and sell optical fibers/cables have been favorably performing since their establishment last year. It seems that Mr. Wang made the hanging scroll in order to express his appreciation for the success. I never felt proud of my poem, yet I composed it in the hope that the business would flourish. I was deeply moved by thinking that Mr. Wang shared the same feeling with me. I am extremely grateful for my partner’s such thoughtfulness and attitude of valuing people-to-people links and friendships.

I immediately sent a thank-you letter to Mr. Wang. We will remain vigilant, so as to win a commanding share in the Chinese market. I am looking forward to toasting our success together next time we meet in the near feature.

[See also]
- China’s ancient capital Hangzhou and West Lake
- Joint ventures with Futong Group Co., Ltd. for optical fiber and optical cable businesses