Anheuser-Busch hosts Qingdao mayor and Tsingtao Brewery Group president during St. Louis visit
ST. LOUIS (Sept. 21) – Mayor Xia Geng of Qingdao, China and Tsingtao Brewery Group President Jin Zhiguo were guests of Anheuser-Busch during a trip to St. Louis on Sept. 20-21. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen the solid relationship Anheuser-Busch has with the Chinese city and brewery. Anheuser-Busch has a 27 percent equity investment in Tsingtao, one of China’s largest breweries. The two companies also exchange best practices to help both brewers achieve growth objectives.
During the visit, Mayor Xia met with St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. The two mayors exchanged gifts of the world renowned beers (Tsingtao and Budweiser) from their respective cities after an official meeting at St. Louis’ City Hall. Qingdao and St. Louis enjoy a close relationship as “Friendly Cooperative Cities” – an agreement signed in Qingdao by both Mayor Xia and Mayor Slay in September 2004.
Mayor Xia and President Jin also met with several Anheuser-Busch executives including Pat Stokes, Chairman of the Board; Tom Santel, CEO and President of Anheuser-Busch International and Steve Burrows, President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch Asia Pacific. After the meetings, the Chinese delegation took a tour of Anheuser-Busch’s St. Louis brewery. The tour included a visit with the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales and a beer-tasting with an Anheuser-Busch brewmaster.