On April 22nd, Consul General Hong Lei met with Missouri governor Eric Greitens in St. Louis, Missouri. First Lady of Missouri Dr. Sheena Greitens, Director Anna Hui of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and Commercial Counselor Zou Xiaoming and others were also present at the meeting.

Consul General Hong Lei once again congratulated Governor Greitens on taking office as the 56th governor of Missouri. Consul General Hong Lei said that China is an important cooperation partner of Missouri. Over the past 16 years, Chinese companies have invested 1.1 billion US dollars in Missouri, and China has become the third largest trading partner and the third largest export market of Missouri. Economic and trade cooperation with China has effectively promoted the economic development and employment of the state. The two countries enjoy a good momentum of cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with more than 6,000 Chinese students in universities in Missouri. The two countries also conduct fruitful academic cooperation which has served as an important bridge to enhance the understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Consul General Hong Lei pointed out that at the beginning of this month, President Xi Pingping met with President Trump in Florida, and the two heads of state reached a series of important consensus on maintaining and promoting the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations and pointed out the direction for the further development of Sino-US relations. China's development is an important opportunity for the development of Missouri, and China is willing to become an important partner in Missouri’s new development process. China commends the positive will of Governor Greitens to further deepen the friendly cooperation between the two sides and welcomes the governor's visit to China at an early date. We are willing to work with the governor and the state government to actively expand exchanges and cooperation in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges at a new starting point.

Governor Greteins warmly welcomed Consul General Hong Lei’s visit to Missouri once again and said he was glad to see that the exchanges and cooperation between the state of Michigan and China had a solid foundation. His priority as the Governor is to build Missouri as one of the leading economies in the United States. China is a great opportunity for economic development in the state of Missouri. Expanding cooperation with China is an important agenda for the current state government. He looks forward to an early visit to China and is willing to maintain close communication with China and further deepen the pragmatic cooperation with China through joint working groups on trade and investment between Chinese provinces and Missouri. He supports the two sides in carrying out more cultural exchanges. The Chinese community has made positive contributions to the economic and social development and cultural diversification in Missouri. The state government will continue to care for and support the development of Chinese communities and provide good services to local Chinese. Missouri welcomes more Chinese students to study here.

Representatives from Wanxiang America, the Bank of China and Jiusan Oils&Grains Industries Group also attended the meeting and briefed about their investment in the Midwest and participation in local economic development. Governor Greteins acknowledged the contribution of Chinese-funded enterprises to the local economic and social development, indicating that the state government is committed to advancing labor and supervision and other areas of reform to improve the business environment, and welcome more Chinese enterprises to invest in the state of Missouri.