Thread: Chinese construction of USC dorm prompts U.S.-contractor-onl

Local Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008

Chinese construction of USC dorm prompts U.S.-contractor-only bill

By Seanna Adcox - The Associated Press

COLUMBIA --An S.C. lawmaker said Thursday she is outraged that a state university hired a China-based construction company, saying taxpayer money should go to American firms. But a company official contends the money largely stays here as it employs hundreds of Palmetto State residents.

Rep. Gloria Haskins, R-Greenville, introduced a bill that would bar public agencies from awarding contracts to foreign companies without first giving the opportunity to American companies. Haskins said a banner at a construction site at the University of South Carolina that read "China Construction" prompted the proposal.

"As a state, we need to set an example. Our tax dollars should not be going to foreign governments, especially not a communist government," she said.

Though the bill has almost no chance of passing this session, which ends in June, Haskins said she wanted taxpayers to know how their dollars are being spent.

China Construction America of South Carolina, a branch of China's largest building contractor, is building a USC dorm for 540 honors students.

The university's board approved the contract with China Construction after the company submitted the lowest of five sealed bids. Under state law, contracts must go to the lowest bidder, no matter where they're based, said Mike Sponhour, spokesman for the state Budget and Control Board, which aids public agencies in construction bids.

Tiger Wu, executive vice president of China Construction's state branch, said the bill is unfair to companies like his that are investing in South Carolina's economy.

All nonmanagement workers are locally hired, usually between 150 and 200 per job, he said.

Wu said the proposal seems to contradict the state's efforts to lure Chinese business and be part of the global market. In 2005, Gov. Mark Sanford opened a state Commerce Department office in Shanghai - now one of four foreign offices.

Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer called the proposal an "election-year bill, plain and simple, rather than a serious attempt to change the procurement code."

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/142/story/429829.html

I am tired of all of the global crap. It is ruinging our country. And this contract to support a communist country company. What is this country coming to.

If it is true what this Mr Wu stated the following:

All nonmanagement workers are locally hired, usually between 150 and 200 per job, he said.

Well if that is the case hand over list of names and address of these "locals" however I suspect these locals could also be illegals.

Originally Posted by Berfie

If it is true what this Mr Wu stated the following:

All nonmanagement workers are locally hired, usually between 150 and 200 per job, he said.

Well if that is the case hand over list of names and address of these "locals" however I suspect these locals could also be illegals.

I was thinking along the same lines.

I guess the Chinese will be owning most of us soon. Good thing we gave away most of our manufacturing base to them.