American states push China business ties
Officials highlight potential gains from greater economic cooperation, private partnerships
Several US states, driven by pragmatism and economic interests, are actively forging partnerships with Chinese companies, particularly in sectors such as technology and clean energy.
By nurturing the win-win partnerships, which are fueled by strong trade ties and cultural connections, both sides can not only reap economic benefits but also contribute to a more stable and prosperous future, officials from the states of Washington, California and Nevada said at a forum in Las Vegas last week.
Washington state’s thriving tech sector, with more than 18,000 information and communications technology companies, presents a natural draw for Chinese firms seeking partnerships in innovation, Mike Fong, director of the Washington State Commerce Department, said at the forum hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco during the Consumer Electronics Show global tech event.
“Tech workers make up nearly 10 percent of Washington’s workforce. New ideas are shared rapidly within the ICT (information and communications technology) sector and across other sectors such as aerospace, life science, advanced manufacturing and clean tech, which rely on software and hardware to drive innovation and ultimately profit $138.7 billion annually,” he said.
The state’s tech sector accounts for 21.8 percent of its economy, the highest percentage in the US, and 57 percent of all services exported by Washington state is technologyrelated, Fong said.
He also highlighted “fantastic new opportunities on the horizon” as both US and China are investing in clean technology and renewable energy.
“In November, we welcomed a large Chinese delegation and discussed collaborating on new opportunities between our state and China with the focus on clean technology, Fong said, adding: “I hope we can continue in the spirit of collaboration and ideasharing that has marked the past 40 years.”
California’s robust Chinese American community and deep trade history further strengthen its economic bonds with China, Emily Desai, deputy director of international affairs and trade at the California
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, told the audience, mostly executives of Chinese companies attending the CES.
In 2022, China was California’s top trade partner with two-way trade amounting to more than $165 billion.
California’s deep-water ports serve as vital gateways for US-China trade, with 40 percent of all containerized goods entering the US through the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, Desai said, adding that cultural ties are equally important.
Similarly, clean technology would be a catalyst for collaboration between California and China.
In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom led a mission to China to advance the mutual work for implementing an array of climaterelated agreements.
The shared vision will “take our cooperation on climate to an even deeper level”, Desai said.
For Nevada, embracing winwin opportunities means greater prosperity not only for the two countries but the whole world.
Rudy Pamintuan, chief of staff for the Office of Nevada’s Lieutenant Governor, thanked Chinese companies for participating in the CES, sharing their business experience and innovation.
Pamintuan said he believes “the ability to not do businesses around the globe together and create these partnerships has contributed to the instability that we currently see”.
He said Nevada’s message to Chinese businesses is clear: Come to the US, identify opportunities and work together to achieve success.