Michigan must cure China syndrome, get airline route
Tom Watkins
The election is over, but the fight is on. This battle should bring the warring political factions together to pull for the home team — Michigan.
The immediate fight is to convince the U.S. Department of Transportation to select Northwest Airlines to offer a daily, nonstop flight between Detroit and Shanghai, China, the world’s fastest-growing economy. The decision is expected by year’s end.
Our competition is steep. Northwest’s competition and the host cities for the proposed new lucrative China routes are Continental Airlines (Newark, N.J.), United Airlines (Washington, D.C.) and American Airlines (Dallas).
If the decision is made based on which carrier plan will benefit the most consumers and businesses, Detroit should win hands down. However, politics will play a big part. Michigan needs all hands on deck pulling hard in the same direction if we hope to be victorious.
Take any statistic you like and you can see the China economy is on a roll and picking up steam. Michigan, reeling with the nation’s second highest unemployment rate, needs this new “silk route” to China to help transform our economy.
The China wave is coming. We can do nothing and be swamped, or learn to surf and ride the wave.
This air route can help build another lane on a two-way economic bridge that will create jobs and attract Chinese investment in Michigan.
How Granholm, others can heal election’s fallout
Some suggest the slugfest for governor and the heated rhetoric about outsourcing jobs to China will be a drag on Northwest Airlines’ efforts in securing this new route.
Michigan’s leaders need to show their intent to adapt to the changing world. We need every advantage to tilt the world in Michigan’s direction.
Here’s how to develop a China agenda, secure this route for Michigan and show the world that Michigan is united and open for business:
The Detroit Big Three auto executives should put securing the Detroit-China route on their agenda as they continue to talk with Michigan’s congressional delegation, other members of Congress and the Bush administration.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, playing off her “One Michigan” theme, could assemble a “silk route” team of business, labor, political, community and civic experts on Asia and China to develop a comprehensive Asia/China strategy. This group should find ways to make the economic rise of China work for Michigan workers, families and businesses.
Ask Dick DeVos, a business leader with political connections in Washington and connections in China, to chair this effort. This group’s first goal should be to help secure this new China route for Northwest Airlines and the state.
Some may argue that digging a hole to China may be more realistic. However, if we are going to move Michigan forward, we need to fly boldly into the future. Coming together to secure the China route would be a great beginning and, obtaining the route, a huge success.
Tom Watkins is a business and education consultant who was state superintendent of schools from 2001-05. Reach him at tdwatkins@aol.com. E-mail: letters@detnews.com.