The L.A. labor leaders got a taste of challenges facing them in a tour of a heavy machinery factory outside Beijing. Met by a delegation from the factory, they were led to a meeting room, where an executive from the company, Beiren, explained the union's role at great length while the factory's union officials sat flanking him and listened. He stressed the union's role in training workers "to improve the efficiency of their work," to "contribute to the economic growth of the company" and to help in "cultivating a corporate culture" through recreation programs, such as a photography club and a calligraphy club. Only when a Chinese union leader finally spoke was there any mention of the union's role in wage negotiations, and barely then. That approach is in keeping with the Chinese government's push to create a "harmonious society." But it was clear that the Chinese were, both literally and figuratively, speaking another language from the Americans. "We come here and they're talking about harmony," said Durazo. "Harmony? With someone who's just thinking about maximum profit? We just can't think that way."