Gov. Doyle: Renews sister state partnership with Heilongjian, China

Contacts: Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

HEILONGJIAN – As part of his trade mission to Japan and China, today Governor Jim Doyle renewed the Sister-State Agreement between Wisconsin and Heilongjian that was first signed in 1982, with his Chinese counterpart, Governor Li Zhanshu of Heilongjiang. The intent of the agreement is to promote cooperation and exchanges in cultural, economic, educational, scientific, sports, technical, tourist, trade and other fields with a view to promoting the prosperity and well-being of both the Province of Heilongjiang and the State of Wisconsin.

“China is one of Wisconsin’s most important export markets, and we are proud to continue our partnership with Heilongjiang to advance education, share our cultures and grow our economies,” Governor Doyle said. “It is a great pleasure for me to reaffirm our ties today with Governor Li and our friends in Heilongjiang.”

The Province of Heilongjian is in northeastern China, bordered by Russia. It is the northern portion of Manchuria. With a population of nearly 40 million, the province has an area of 179,000 square miles. The Manchurian plain occupies the south, heavily forested mountains lie to the north, and marshes and swamps lie to the east. The capital and chief city is Harbin, a center of heavy industry.

Governor Doyle is leading a trade mission to Japan and China from September 13-22, 2009. The trade mission provides participants with opportunities to meet with distributors, potential customers, and key business and government officials. The Governor is also promoting investment by Japanese and Chinese companies in Wisconsin.

China is Wisconsin’s third-largest customer, with exports totaling $1.2 billion in 2008, a 4.4 percent increase over 2007.

For more information on exporting from Wisconsin contact Mary Regel, director of the Bureau of Export Development at: mary.regel@wisconsin.gov or 608/266-1767.