Governor Mark Parkinson will lead a trade mission to China from November 6-15 to advance Kansas’ business ties with the country and renew Kansas’ longstanding sister-state relationship with Henan Province, officials announced today.
The Governor will meet with various Chinese business and government leaders. The Governor also will give opening remarks at the China-U.S. Midwest Cooperation Forum in Zhengzhou. The objective of the trip is to strengthen Kansas’ trade relationship with China, encourage Chinese investment in Kansas and renew the 28-year-old sister-state relationship between Kansas and Henan Province.
“In recent years, China has emerged as one of Kansas’ leading trade partners, buying everything from airplanes to soybeans,” Governor Parkinson said. “This trip is a great opportunity for us to meet with Chinese business leaders, especially those in Central China. It will also give us a chance to visit our friends in the Henan Province and renew a sister-state relationship that has fostered incredible business and cultural exchange for the past 28 years.”
While the Governor will look to advance business ties with organizations throughout China, he will pay particular attention to Central China, a region viewed by many as a high-growth-potential region. Last year, China was Kansas’ sixth largest export market, totaling more than $510 million in exports. Kansas businesses totaled a record $12.47 billion in exports in 2008, marking the fourth straight year Kansas has achieved an all-time high and the fifth straight year of overall export growth. The 2008 total was a 22.2 percent increase from the 2007 total of $10.25 billion. Kansas exports have increased 191 percent since 1999, which translates to an average annual increase of $818 million over the past 10 years. For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.
Recent Kansas trade activity with China
July 2005Governor Kathleen Sebelius hosts a 26-member Chinese delegation from China’s Henan Province, during which she and Henan Province Chairman Guangchun Xu reaffirm the 24-year-old sister-state relationship between the states and exchange gifts.
October 2005
Governor Sebelius leads a trade mission to China and opens the state’s new Kansas Office in Beijing, which has become instrumental in helping Kansas companies export to China.
May 2006
Governor Sebelius hosts a 31-member delegation from China’s Henan Province at the Wichita Art Museum to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kansas’ sister-state relationship with Henan. The Chinese delegation includes representatives from Henan Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Group, Ltd., who sign a memorandum of understanding with the Kansas Soybean Commission regarding the purchase of Kansas soybeans.
October 2007
Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Kerr receives a 50-member delegation from the China Ministry of Commerce –– the largest delegation in Kansas history –– in Topeka to discuss trade, investment and academic transfer. Secretary Kerr and the Chinese delegation sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the exchange of information and the future sale of Kansas products.
February 2008
Governor Sebelius and Secretary Kerr host the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Zhou Wenzhong, to discuss trade and cultural exchange between China and Kansas.
September 2009
Kansas Department of Commerce officials host a trade delegation from China’s Henan Province. Officials discuss future trade and investment opportunities and reaffirm the Kansas-Henan sis-state relationship.