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Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ President Mark Emmert was in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai June 12–21, meeting with dignitaries, educators and government officials. He chronicled his journey with posts to a blog set up specifically for the trip — www.presblog.washington.edu — and even sent back several dozen photos.

The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s ties to China date to 1909, and the relationship has grown in significance and scope ever since. Emmert’s goals for the trip included assessing how the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ is perceived, promoting the state’s and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s interests; exploring new opportunities; and reconnecting with alumni.

The trip also drove home the reality of living in a wired world. On June 16, he wrote:

“Today began and ended with two reminders of just how tightly connected our planet is becoming. First thing this morning, I discussed an issue on state policy with WSU President Lane Rawlins. Then as I rode back to the hotel from a late dinner this evening, I received comments on my first blog post during the trip from one of our Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ students.

“Nothing was unusual about the communications — except where and when they took place: President Rawlins is roaming in South Africa, the student is studying in Munich and I am traveling around Beijing. Yet we communicated as easily as if we were in a meeting room together in Seattle.”

To learn more about his trip and the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ’s China ties, and to see photos of the trip, go to http://depts.washington.edu/presblog/china/