Jim Patton the senior director for Global Trade Compliance at Apple Inc. visited the School of Public Administration on 6 January 2016, along with Madam LIU Jie the director for Greater China Trade Compliance at Apple Inc. and CHEN Huijie, XU Ziyao, SONG Yu, the managers for trade compliance and customs affairs. The delegate had exchanged ideas with head of the Customs Management Prof. XU Wei and students in various topics such as the discipline and students’ future occupational planning. Also the possibility of strengthening future cooperation in internship program was discussed.

Prof. Xu received the delegate with warm welcome, briefed the delegate to the School. Mr. Patton showed his admiration and respect for the Customs Management since lots of elites working in customs graduated from this major. After the reception Prof. Xu introduced the history, academic features, duration and faculty of the Customs Management in details to the delegate.



Prof. Xu exchanged ideas with the delegate in hot issues that students are fascinated to, such as the functions of the Global Trade Compliance, typical cases, and staff skills, going with detailed answers from Mr. Patton and his team.

Director LIU Jie illustrated the funding progress of the department and its function, encouraging the students to work harder in this discipline, improving competitiveness and academic strength. Madam Liu showed her expectations for more students growing up to be future customs elites.

Senior managers CHEN Huijie, XU Ziyao and SONG Yu shared their stories back to the school and answered students’ questions, with suggestions on future career planning.

Senior student LI Jianing shared experiences in taking internship at Apple Inc. from the corporation culture, daily working and what she learnt in the three-month internship. Senior Manager XU Ziyao highly recognized the efforts the intern students made and their industrial sprit, looking forward to receiving more students to participate in the internship program.

A vivid discussion and ideas-exchanging on the recent hot issues in customs and trade were made, witnessing a successfully completion of the meeting.




A brief on Jim Patton

As the senior director for Global Trade Compliance at Apple Inc., Jim Patton is in charge of customs affairs of Apple global business, trade compliance and export regulation. Jim and his team also supervise the company and its partners obeying import & export and customs laws and regulations. In addition, Jim is responsible for communicating or organizing meetings with customs office or World Customs Organization on behalf of the Apple Inc.