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Kansas Perspectives

From Kathleen Sebelius，Kansas Governor

　　 Kansas has a special relationship with China that dates back to 1979, when we became the third state to send a delegation to China since the normalization of relations earlier that year.
　　Then-Governor John Carlin led the 25-member delegation, which established relations with the Chinese ministries and formed a sister-state relationship with Henan Province. Today, that relationship is stronger than ever, and this year we celebrated its 25th anniversary.

　　In the last 25 years, we have strengthened our trade relationship and built a friendship between our two peoples. As the Chinese economy grows, so too does the bond between China and our state. China is now Kansas’ third-largest trading partner and our largest outside of North America, thanks to a six-year period in which sales of Kansas goods and services to China have more than tripled. The products we sell to China range from aircraft parts to animal hides to foodstuffs, and the Chinese market has become critical to Kansas exporters of these goods.
　　China’s importance to Kansas and to the world is among the main reasons I led a trade delegation to Beijing, Shanghai and Zhengzhou last year. We were warmly welcomed during the visit, and it was clear that the Chinese government believes, as do I, that stronger ties between the United States and China will lead to incredible benefits for both nations.
　　We’ve continued to build on the ties established during that trade mission. Shortly after the visit, Global Ground Support of Olathe sold $4.2 million in airplane de-icers to China to be used in the growing aviation sector there, a sale that could be directly linked to the delegation’s efforts just a few weeks earlier. And the positive benefits of that mission and of trade in general continue, as Kansas farmers, manufacturers and businesses continue to expand their sales to China.
　　We will continue to strengthen our relationship through dialogue and trade missions, as well as through our new Kansas office in Beijing, which we opened during last year’s trip to give our state a larger presence in the region. Our relationship has also expanded with regard to educational exchange, and we are delighted that the University of Kansas this year became the host to a prestigious Confucius Institute, of which there are only four in the entire nation. This initiative of the Chinese Ministry of Education will help American business leaders learn more about China and further our friendship.
　　These business, educational and cultural initiatives are critical as Kansas seeks to compete on the world stage. I’m confident Kansas workers and businesses can compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world and help grow the economy and create jobs here in Kansas. Strong relations with China will play a vital role as we expand opportunities for Kansas businesses abroad.
　　We like to say Kansas is as big as you think. Rest assured, our relationship with China is making us a whole lot bigger.

From Dennis Moore，Kansas Representative
　　In our global economy, there is no country in the world that is not touched by America and no country that does not touch America in some way.
　　Increased recognition and understanding of our common values, such as freedom, tolerance and opportunity, increases trust among nations and peoples and betters our chances of resolving differences and reaching agreements. Exposure to other cultures, ideas and art, reminds us of the universal values of human rights, freedom, equality, and opportunity that bind us all together.

　　By working to enhance the understanding of the Chinese people and culture around the world, the recently created Confucius Institute at the University of Kansas is helping to bring our two countries and our people together so that we might all benefit from greater understanding and connectedness.
　　Drawing on the extensive resources for the study of China at the University of Kansas, the Institute will serve the people of Kansas, the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area, and the larger Great Plains region with high quality public programming, including community-based Chinese language instruction, training and professional development for Chinese language teachers, and outreach programs on Chinese culture.
　　With every connection formed between the United States and China, we promote understanding, create more opportunities for cooperation and trade and lessen the likelihood of military conflict between our two nations in the future. These are goals we should all be working toward.

From Todd Tiahrt，Kansas Representative
　　Trade directly spurs our economy and trade between the United States and China is critical. Our association with China is good for Kansas farmers and it has been positive for the aviation industry as well. While we have had political differences with China, our engagement through trade and cultural exchange programs have led to a productive relationship.