Ying Yong, Iowa governor talk about closer ties

Mayor Ying Yong met the visiting Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds from the United States on Friday and said the China-US relations are the most important bilateral ties in the world. Exchanges at the regional government level are conducive to their ties.

Ying said Shanghai's biggest advantage is its open policy. As China's economic center and frontier in reform and opening, Shanghai wants to develop business ties with Iowa and welcomes American companies, including those in Iowa, to invest in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

The mayor noted that Iowa is advanced in agriculture and Shanghai is promoting modern agriculture and organic farming. The city's Chongming District, which hopes to become an eco-friendly island, can cooperate with Iowa in modern agriculture.

Reynolds said Shanghai's development is impressive. The state of Iowa is keen to expand trade and cooperation with Shanghai.

She said agriculture is one of the main industries of Iowa and a key area for China-US cooperation. Iowa will cooperate with Shanghai in more areas, including renewable energy.

Acting US Consul-General in Shanghai, Gwendolyn Cardno, was present at the meeting.