On December 5, Deputy Consul General Liu Jun met with Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development Rob Dixon and Manager of International Trade and Investment Office Ann Pardalos at Missouri Department of Economic Development in Jefferson City, Missouri. The two sides had an in-depth discussion regarding how to strengthen and integrate cooperation on innovative industrial parks and other practical projects.

Deputy Consul General Liu Jun said that the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in last October. The 19th Congress is a milestone that outlined a blueprint and direction for China’s future development. General Secretary Xi Jinping mentioned in his report to the 19th Party Congress that the Socialism with Chinese Characteristics has entered a new era. In this new era, China will offer more opportunities for global economic growth and provide more space for the development of the China-US relations and the relations between China and Missouri.

Deputy Consul General Liu Jun said that Governor Greitens made a successful visit to China in last September and achieved positive results. The two sides have agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and to promote mutually beneficial cooperation on innovation industrial parks. China and Missouri have maintained friendly and cooperative relations for long. In as early as 1979, the Chinese city of Nanjing and St. Louis established the first pair of sister city relationship between China and the United States. China has become Missouri's third largest trading partner and third largest export market. Economic and trade cooperation with China has boosted economic development and employment in Missouri. The people-to-people exchanges between the two sides have enjoyed a sound momentum. Nearly 7,000 Chinese students are currently studying at colleges and universities in Missouri. They have become important bridges for mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Officials of the Missouri Department of Economic Development said the recently China-Missouri relations has enjoyed a sound momentum of development. There is also great prospect for the future development of China-Missouri ties. Missouri enjoys advantages in life sciences, agricultural technologies and innovative industrial parks. The state is willing to promote greater industrial integration with Chinese provinces and municipalities to complement the two sides’ advantages, and promote the practical cooperation in trade and economy.