America is going through an economic downturn not seen since the Great Depression. Confidence in the U.S. economy, as well as the economic relationship between the U.S. and many countries in the world today, has been at a low point.

In addition to analyzing the economic figures and superficially apparent situation, we need to ask ourselves a key question: Why is America having so many problems in world politics, international affairs, and its economic and trade relationships with so many other countries? In my personal opinon, the deeper, fundamental underlying reason for this downturn in America’s status in international affairs and the economy has much to do with the imposing and less sensitive attitude that we have demonstrated towards other countries and cultures in the past decade and the complacency and lack of curiosity that we have developed from America’s success in the last century.

Nashville Business Journal - by Linda Bryant Nashville Business Journal

The market for private health care in China began to open up about a year ago, signaled by a loosening of governmental restrictions.

Nashville-based ophthalmologist Dr. Ming Wang -- never one to shy away from an opportunity -- jumped in quickly to take advantage of the situation.

Soon after the country relaxed rules regarding private health care expansion, a China-based eye hospital company partly owned by Wang became the first private hospital in China to receive a foreign loan.

Nashville Business Journal - by Cynthia Yeldell Nashville Business Journal

The Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce is gaining momentum with 45 members and more than 300 attendees at a recent networking event.

Started by former CareerBuilder.com sales specialist Celeste LaReau, the organization wants to cross social, economical, cultural and denominational lines by reaching out to blue and white collar workers, managers and employees.

"You don't have to be a CEO or wear a suit," LaReau says. "It is for anyone that is Christian."

LaReau says during her research she discovered that the Christian presence was missing from Nashville's business community in its many niche chambers of commerce.

In Middle Tennessee, there are many geographically focused chambers such as the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, and niche chambers such as the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Background

Name/age: Ming Wang, 47
Titles: director, Wang Vision; Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee; International president, Shanghai Aier Eye Hospital; founder, chairman, Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration; president and founder, Tennessee Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Company: Wang Vision
Address: 1801 West End Ave, Ste 1150
Web: www.wangvisioninstitute.com/">www.wangvisioninstitute.com
Revenue: $4-5 million
No. of employees: 20
Education: Harvard & MIT (MD, magna cum laude); PhD, laser physics; Wills Eye Hospital (residency); Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Recently Read Books: "Selfish Genes," Richard Dawkins; "Third Wave," Alvin Tofler; "Chinese in America," Iris Chang

Nashville Business Journal - by Cynthia Yeldell Nashville Business Journal

If you're a Tennessee business looking to get into China, the Hong Kong government can help.

This week Michael Rowse, director general of investment promotion for Invest Hong Kong, spoke to the International Business Council of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce's about the benefits of choosing Hong Kong for a China-based operation. Rowse, a government official, travels the globe telling companies that Hong Kong is an easy place to do business and they can be up and running in less than a week.

The government has an office in New York that works with American companies. And one of its programs involves partnering companies with other businesses in their industry that already have operations in Hong Kong.