Just as China opened her doors to the world, a group of Chinese-Americans living in Los Angeles founded Educational Services Exchange with China (ESEC) under the leadership of Dr. Danny Yu and Dr. Wing Pang. Serving the people of China through education and exchange was the calling of ESEC. They established a nonprofit organization and began operations as a nongovernment educational service some twenty years ago.

ESEC gathered attention and support from people in many walks of life. These people gave selflessly of their time, money, and services. In China, ESEC was welcomed by the government and the institutes of higher education. A mutual commitment to cooperation has allowed ESEC to expand its programs; ESEC offers English language learning programs, contemporary teaching methodology, international trade and commerce, medical education, higher education evaluation, service to the disabled, and special education. To date, this eff0!1 has involved more than 200 Chinese institutions.

The 20 years that ESEC has served in China marks two histotical decades of rapid progress and reform for Chinese society. It is in this setting that ESEC discovered its purpose and defined the incumbent challenges aheaf. ESEC appreciates the opportliflit)' to lue a patticipant in the metamorphosis of Chinese society, and is especially grateful for the many friends who have joined this pilgrimage.

The fundamental philosophy of ESEC is to promote genuine friendship between the people of China and the people of the United States. In this philosophy , ESEC has embodied five distinctive characteristics that set its work apart:

1. ESEC was founded by Chinese-Americans who are interested in fostering a healthy relationship between the USA and China. An ever-expanding community has sustained ESEC and its work by providing economic and moral support.  

2. The guiding tenet of ESEC's partnership is mutual respect. ESEC is founded on the concept of Christian humanitarian principles. Our creed is "to serve, rather than to be served." As partners we focus on understanding and appreciation for one another. Our cooperative relationship is one of equality.  

3. ESEC does not send individual teachers: we send teaching teams. We do not emphasize individual performance. We mold our teachers as team members. With strengths that compliment and empower the whole, they can overcome personal limitations. Prior to leaving the States, we extensively train our teachers in teamwork and teaching methodology so they can function effectively.  

4. In the training of our teaching teams we also emphasize cross-cultural sensitivity. Equipping our teachers to work with their Chinese partners, we strive to integrate Western and Oriental approaches to education. We employ the latest teaching methodologies while giving close attention to the psychological and cultural habits of the students. As a bicultural organization, ESEC's goal is to overcome cultural boundaries and barriers while respecting the differences of the two cultures.  

5. We seek continual growth. We average a new program every two years. We have employed an effective protocol for developing new programs - beginning with pilot testing, then establishing a model and finally duplication for the masses. After we perfect a curriculum design, we immediately seek to multiply the program to as many locations as possible, thereby reducing the cost per student trained. ESEC has been recognized for its ability to produce low cost and high quality education with optimal results.