Midwest-China Hub Commission heads to D.C.
St. Louis Business Journal
December 9, 2009
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Wenzhong has invited the Midwest-China Hub Commission to attend a dinner Thursday at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and U.S. Sens. Kit Bond, R-Mo., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., will attend the dinner.
Other guests include U.S. Reps. Todd Akin, R-Mo., Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., Lacy Clay, D-Mo., and Blaine Leutkemeyer, R-Mo., St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann and area labor and business leaders.
Ambassador Zhou said he is honoring the Midwest-China Hub Commission to demonstrate China's continued commitment to the development of a St. Louis commercial air cargo hub.
"Our relationship with Chinese officials is continually getting stronger and stronger, and we are making significant strides toward the formation of a new Midwestern trade route," said Mike Jones, commission chairman and policy adviser to St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. "The invitation by Ambassador Zhou brings us another step closer to reaching our goals."
For nearly a year, the Midwest-China Hub Commission has been actively working with government leaders and the Chinese to generate interest and ultimately create a Midwest-China air cargo hub.
Highlights include: Zhou's multiple visits to St. Louis in 2008 and 2009 to discuss the project; a commission delegation traveling to Beijing in 2008 and 2009; and separate visits to St. Louis from Minister Li Zhaoxing in 2008 and Vice Premier Wang Qishan in 2008.
While in Washington, D.C., the Midwest-China Hub Commission also will attend various meetings including a briefing from the U.S. Department of Commerce on the administration's views on trade with China.
Earlier this month, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport officials selected a developer of air cargo distribution warehouses to develop 76 acres at the airport to bolster trade efforts, particularly with China.
The airport commission approved an agreement with Aeroterm LLC of Annapolis, Md., to develop $40 million in cargo facilities on the site of a former Boeing Corp. aircraft fabrication facility and office complex at the airport.
