From June 14 to 15, 2018, Consul General Hong Lei visited Minnesota-based US Fortune 500 companies including Ecolab, a chemical and environmental technology company, Land O'Lakes, a dairy and nutrition company, 3M, a mining and manufacturing company, and Medtronic, a medical equipment manufacturer. He also visited Cargill, a major producer and seller of American agricultural products. During his visits, Consul General Hong Lei met with Mr. Douglas M. Baker, Chairman and CEO of Ecolab, Mr. Jerry Kaminski, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Land O'Lakes, Ms. Julie L. Bushman, Executive Vice President of 3M, Mr. Jim Southwick, Vice President of Global Government Affairs of Medtronic, and Mr. Marcel Smits, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cargill as well as other corporate executives. Commercial Counselor Zou Xiaoming also attended the meetings.

Consul General Hong Lei said that Ecolab and other Minnesota-based companies have always exploited their own advantages to invest in China and participate in China's economic and social development in depth, making positive contributions to China's development in their respective fields. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. China has grown into the world's second largest economy. For a long time to come, China will continue to focus on economic development. By the middle of this century, China, the world's largest developing country, will achieve the development level of a moderately developed country. In this process, China will further increase its openness, improve investment environment, strengthen intellectual property protection, further integrate economically with the international community, expand common interests, and build a community of shared future for all mankind. This will provide the world with a bigger market. I hoped that US companies will seize the opportunities brought about by China's development and greater openness, expand business operations in China, and achieve greater development.

Consul General Hong Lei said that at present, China-US economic and trade relations have reached a critical juncture. China-US cooperation serves the interests of both countries, and China-US confrontation inflicts harm for both sides. China does not want a trade war with the United States, but is not afraid of one either. China has always advocated broadening consensuses and resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. I hope that the US government will return to a rational and pragmatic position as soon as possible, listen to the voice of the business community, and work with China to resolve trade disputes as soon as possible.

Executives said that their companies have invested in the Chinese market for 20 to 30 years and all enjoyed sound development momentum. For the Minnesota-based companies, China has become an important market for production, sales, as well as research and development. China's economic development has bright prospects. Minnesota-based companies attach great importance to development opportunities brought about by China and are willing to further explore the Chinese market for win-win results. They add that China's deepening of reform and opening up is good news for these companies. They hope and believe that China can create a better environment for foreign companies in China. The US economy and Chinese economy are highly complementary, and the two sides should stay committed to dialogue and cooperation, facilitating the steady and forward development of the US-China economic and trade ties.