China ambassador tours Missouri government; touts trade hub
Kansas City Star
February 2, 2010
by Jason Noble
JEFFERSON CITY | The Capitol is abuzz this morning with an appearance by the Chinese ambassador to the United States.
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong is in Missouri this week to discuss trade relations between China and the Midwestern region of the U.S. The talks center on the Midwest China Hub, an import-export facility in the planning stages at Lambert-St. Louis Airport.
Zhou appeared with Gov. Jay Nixon yesterday afternoon and was feted at the Governor's Mansion last night.
Today, he's met with Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and been recognized in both legislative chambers.
The governor and lawmakers hailed the ambassador's visit and the talks underway as historic.
"For those of you that are students of history, you are looking at history today," Sen. Charlie Shields said.
The trade hub would facilitate air traffic between China and the U.S., particularly agricultural and manufactured products produced in the Midwestern states.
"We are focusing our conversations on the mutual goals of strengthening the ties between our countries by establishing a Midwest trade hub with China," Nixon said. "This is a worthy goal -- one that would bring us closer together, create jobs for Missourians quickly and continue to lay a foundation for long-term growth and transformation."
Zhou also suggested that Lambert could be the embarkation point for non-stop flights to China.
