Locke Meets China’s Leader, Takes Tour Governor Accepts Kudos, Discusses Trade And Human Rights
Washington Gov. Gary Locke won a personal tribute Monday from China’s president, who said he was very proud of Locke for becoming the first Chinese-American governor of a U.S. state.
Locke met President Jiang Zemin for an hour Monday, the third day of a visit to promote Washington state business in China and build ties with government and business leaders.
Locke did not announce any new business deals, and said he hadn’t intended to.
“We did not come to China with the expectation of concluding specific agreements, but rather to develop personal relationships, to introduce ourselves,” he said at a news conference.
But as a Chinese-American governor, Locke said he could smooth the way for future business with Chinese officials.
“It helps that they have followed my election and are aware of my election and that they feel pride in my election,” he said. “What I can do is help open doors to Washington businesses and American interests that might not otherwise be possible.”
Locke’s afternoon meeting with Jiang, who will pay his first state visit to the United States later this month, capped a day that started with a morning tour of the Forbidden City, the former palace of China’s emperors in central Beijing.
The Chinese president “conveyed his personal congratulations on my election as the first Chinese-American governor,” said Locke, who was voted in 11 months ago. “He expressed great pride in that accomplishment.”
Locke said he promoted Washington products, including Boeing planes, environmental expertise, apples, computer software, wheat, and medical technology.
But he said neither Jiang or Qian Qichen, the Chinese foreign minister, whom Locke also met Monday, told him of any immediate plans to buy more Boeing planes. They “were very … careful in their words about Boeing,” he said.
On the sensitive issue of human rights, Locke said he told Jiang that China has made progress, “but that more could be accomplished.”
Jiang “did not react negatively to my comments or take issue with them,” Locke said.
He said he did not raise any specific cases.