On February 23, 2018, Consul General Hong Lei visited the district offices of Congressman David Young and Congressman Steve King in Des Moines and Ames, Iowa.

Consul General Hong Lei said that China's development has entered a new era. The contribution of China’s development to global economic growth has exceeded 30%, making China a major driving force of the world economy. The 19th National Congress convened last October outlined the blueprint and action plan for China's development over the next 30 years. China will continue to comprehensively deepen reforms, further open up, and proceed with the Belt and Road initiative. China will also strive to achieve common development with the international community, and provide the world with enormous opportunities of growth. In the next 15 years, China is expected to import 24 trillion US dollars worth of goods. In addition, China will invest 2 trillion US dollars overseas. In November 2018, China will hold the first China International Import Expo in Shanghai, which will set up a new platform for all parties to further explore the Chinese market.

Consul General Hong Lei emphasized that the development of China and the development of the United States are complementary while creating no conflicting interests. The successes of China and the United States are in the common interest of both countries. For China and the United States, cooperation is the only right choice. China’s development will provide more opportunities for the United States and other countries around the world. China does not intend to challenge United States’ international status. Instead, China looks forward to enhancing mutual trust and deepening cooperation with the United States. China hopes that the United States will view China’s developmental and strategic intentions in an objective perspective. Sub-national cooperation is an important pillar of Sino-U.S. relations. China and Iowa enjoy a special friendly relationship. Over the years, the two sides have continuously strengthened cooperation, achieving fruitful results in trade and people-to-people exchanges among others. The Chinese Consulate General is willing to work with Congressmen in Iowa and their district offices to expand practical cooperation between the two sides and to promote new development in Sino-U.S. relations.

District Director Aaron McKay of Congressman Young’s office and District Director Victoria Sinclair of Congressman King’s office stated that the cooperation between Iowa and China in agricultural and other fields is extensive. Mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides has supported local economic development in Iowa. The healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations bears on the common interests of the two countries and well-being of the two peoples. Therefore, both sides should work together to ensure that bilateral relations are not affected by negative factors. They added that Congressman Young and Congressman King are willing to play a positive role in maintaining the healthy and stable development of the U.S.-China relations.