WASHINGTON, DC - A delegation of energy producers, distributors and building officials visited with members and staff of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) last week, to compare how contractors operate here and explore the potential for future cooperative ventures.

The six-person Chinese delegation included officials of provincial power companies, a municipal building official, and deputy director of a major real estate developer and manager of residential communities.

The Chinese delegation said its enterprises, made up of companies and trade associations, were evolving from government-run operations to those having more independence and opportunity for selecting their own leaders and implementing their own agendas, including developing regulations and setting standards.

The Chinese heating association that was represented was somewhat equivalent to ACCA, with a chapter in each of the 31 Mainland China provinces. Unlike ACCA, it has government controlling factors.