From May 10 to May 12, 2018, Consul General Hong Lei attended the Asia Business Summit and the Asian Cultural Festival in Overland Park and Kansas City at the invitation of the Mid-America Asian Culture Association. Governor Jeff Colyer of the State of Kansas, Mayor Sylvester James of Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Michelle De La Isla of Topeka, the Pakistani Minister to the United States, Consul Generals of Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, the Philippines, as well as more than 20,000 guests attended the events.

At the Asia Business Summit on the Belt and Road Initiative and business opportunities, Consul General Hong Lei stated that China and other Asian nations have close economic and trade ties with the States of Kansas and Missouri. Although the Belt and Road Initiative originates in China, the opportunities it generates belong to the whole world. Five years since its initiation, the Belt and Road Initiative has adhered to the principle of achieving shared growth through wide consultation and joint contribution. It fully embodies the principles of equality, openness, inclusiveness and transparency. The Belt and Road Initiative has achieved significant results in infrastructure and industrial capacity cooperation. Many Asian countries along the Belt and Road have obtained tangible benefits from it. US companies, including Caterpillar and General Electric, have also attained great returns from their active participation in the initiative. I hope that more US friends can join us and share the development opportunities generated by the Belt and Road Initiative.

 

At the opening ceremony of the Asian Cultural Festival, Consul General Hong Lei stated that Asian cultures, including the Chinese culture, have long and splendid histories. These cultures demonstrate the universal and tireless pursuit of peace, prosperity, better life and harmony between human and nature by all peoples throughout the ages. The Asian Cultural Festival hosted by the Mid-America Asian Culture Association provides a concentrated display of wonderful Asian cultures. I hope that this event will help promote the understanding of Asian cultures among Kansas and Missouri citizens, facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation and exchanges between the two states and Asian countries, and enhance harmony and diversity of local communities.

Consul General Hong Lei also attended collective meetings with Governor Colyer, Mayor James and Mayor Isla along with other Consul Generals from Asian countries. Consul General Hong Lei was also interviewed by local NBC and CBS television stations on issues related to economic, trade, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between China and the US Midwest as well as the Belt and Road Initiative.