HOW SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE HELPED LIFT CHINA'S REFORM

Foundation leader says nation developed by learning, and now can teach other countries a thing or two

John L. Holden, president and CEO of the US-China Strong Foundation, said China was a totally different country when he paid his first visit in 1974. That year, he spent three weeks traveling throughout the mainland.

"I must say, I was happy to be in China," he said. "The Chinese people were welcoming and friendly. But it was clear to me that China then was experiencing a very difficult time. The country was extremely poor."