Kate Brown, Governor of U.S. state of Oregon, signs a legislation calling for further economic and trade relationship between Oregon and China in Salem, capital city of Oregon, the United States, on July 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Dan)
SAN FRANCISCO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Oregon State Governor Kate Brown reaffirmed the state's important relationship with China in a recent interview with Xinhua, following the passage of a legislation calling for strengthening economic and trade ties with China.
The concurrent resolution was passed recently in a unanimous vote by both House and Senate of the state Legislative Assembly. It makes Oregon the first U.S. state that shows support for continued collaboration with China for trade and economic development through a type of legislation.
Kate Brown, Governor of U.S. state of Oregon, speaks in an interview with Xinhua News Agency in the state capital of Salem on July 5, 2017. (Xinhua)
"China is critically important in terms of Oregon's economy. I think there are sort of three pathways forward for us in terms of developing that relationship," Brown told Xinhua at her office in the state capital of Salem, referring to trade, culture and education.
She said that Oregon is continuing to further its economic ties with China by exporting agricultural products, semi-conductors and other products.
"From all level of products we produce, I think it's absolutely critical that we continue to promote this relationship," said Brown.
The resolution states that China is Oregon's biggest trader partner in 2016 with 5.8 billion U.S. dollars in Oregon exports, over 20,000 jobs in Oregon benefit from trade with China, and China is Oregon's No. 1 source of international visitors.
Oregon has a trade surplus of 3.7 billion dollars with China in 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is among one of eight U.S. states to have a trade surplus with the Asian giant.
To explore future development of mutual business relationship, Brown sees opportunities in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, an open platform for participating countries to strengthen economic and cultural cooperation to achieve common prosperity.
She said that there were a couple of pieces for her to feel strongly with the initiative and one was expanding how Oregon delivers its export products, adding that the state has been reliant on ocean containers and now is beginning to use air shipments.
She said another piece was gaining the benefits of Oregon's knowledge and sustainable development by using Oregon companies' expertise around "smart growth," sustainable development in the way that benefits people, environment and the economy as well.
Kate Brown, Governor of U.S. state of Oregon (2nd R), presents to Ren Faqiang, Chinese deputy Consul General to San Francisco (2nd L) a copy of a legislation showing the state Legislature members' support of further economic and trade relationship between Oregon and China in Salem, capital city of Oregon, the United States, on July 5, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Dan)
Talking about the cultural aspect of relation with China, Brown mentioned that Oregon city Portland has one of the finest traditional Chinese gardens outside China. Describing it as a "national treasure," she said it's also a testimony to the closeness of the relations between Oregon and China.
On education aspect, Brown noted that good Mandarine program has been available in all three of Oregon's major universities as well as in local elementary schools in Portland.
"So I would say it's trade, it's cultural and it's educational. And I think all of these help benefit both of our peoples," said the governor.
