On February 8, Consul General Hong Lei and Guangdong Friendship Working Group led by Director General Chen Qiuyan of Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office met with Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in Madison, the state capital of Wisconsin.

Consul General Hong Lei sent his best wishes of the Chinese Lunar New Year to Lt. Governor Kleefisch. He said that in recent years, exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and Wisconsin have achieved remarkable results. China has become the second largest trading partner and the third largest export market of Wisconsin. Over the past 15 years, Chinese companies have invested nearly $600 million in Wisconsin, creating more than 1,300 jobs. More than 4,200 Chinese students are studying in the universities in Wisconsin. Relations between China and the US, as the largest developing and developed countries, are vital to world development and human destiny. China attaches great importance to its cooperation with the U.S. and would like to make joint efforts with the U.S. to maintain healthy and stable development of China-US relations and benefit the two countries and peoples.

Lt. Governor Kleefisch welcomed Consul General Hong Lei and sent her greetings to the Chinese communities in Wisconsin. She recalled her last visit to China and said that China's economic and social achievements were deeply impressive. Wisconsin enjoys industrial advantages and rich resources in the fields such as manufacturing, agriculture, medical equipment, renewable energy and water treatment and looks forward to strengthening economic and trade cooperation as well as cultural exchanges with China so as to jointly promote the development of friendly relations between the two sides.

Director General Chen Qiuyan had an in-depth discussion with Lt. Governor Kleefischon on how to further promote economic and trade cooperation and business matchmaking between Guangdong and Wisconsin.