For Immediate Release
- Contact:
- Herbert J. Hansell, Co-Chair, US-China Legal Cooperation Fund, 202-879-3986
R. Michael Gadbaw, Co-Chair, US-China Legal Cooperation Fund, 301-502-8769
John Frisbie, US-China Business Council, 202-429-0340
China Rule of Law Program Receives GE Foundation Grant
Washington, DC, February 13 - The US-China Legal Cooperation Fund today announced that it has received a three-year grant from the GE Foundation to advance the rule of law in China.
The US-China Legal Cooperation Fund is a program established by the China Business Forum, the educational and research arm of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), an association of about 250 American companies doing business in and with the People's Republic of China. The Fund was established in 1999 in response to joint calls by the US and PRC presidents for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the legal field. The Fund has so far supported approximately 100 projects to foster legal development and rule of law in China; each project is jointly conducted by an American and a Chinese co-participant, which are chiefly educational or legal services organizations.
Bob Corcoran, president and chairman of the GE Foundation, announced the grant, stating:
"The GE Foundation has been impressed by the innovative effectiveness of the US-China Legal Cooperation Fund in supporting projects in China that foster respected, transparent, and impartial processes and institutions within the Chinese legal system."
"We have observed the fund's work, supported an independent evaluation of that work, and concluded that its performance merits the expression of confidence we announce today."
John Frisbie, president of the US-China Business Council, noted that this GE Foundation grant would enable the Fund to expand its program and said:
"USCBC and the Fund's trustees are grateful for GE Foundation's generous recognition of the success of the Fund's efforts to support China's legal reforms. USCBC takes pride in the business community's achievements in establishing and nourishing this important initiative in US-China legal cooperation."
About the US-China Legal Cooperation Fund
Further information about the US-China Legal Cooperation Fund, including projects supported and dates for submission of proposals, is available at www.uschinalegalcoop.org.
About the GE Foundation
The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to solve some of the world's most difficult problems. In coordination with its partners, it supports US and international education, the environment, public policy, human rights, and disaster relief. In addition, the GE Foundation supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2007, the GE family -- including businesses, employees, retirees, and the GE Foundation -- contributed more than $225 million to community and educational programs, including $93 million from the GE Foundation. For more information, visit www.gefoundation.com.