China Day 5: Delegation Explores Business Opportunities in Beijing

BEIJING, China - After a day of rest and travel from Hangzhou to Beijing, the Hoosier delegation began an aggressive agenda in the Chinese capitol city by visiting potential business partners. Lt. Governor Skillman also met with Assistant Minister of Commerce Wang Chao.

The delegation split into industry groups to meet Chinese agriculture leaders and tour state of the art facilities.

"There is no shortage of handshakes and business cards being exchanged, and that's exactly what we hoped for," Lt. Governor Skillman said. "The relationships that were built today will pay off for Hoosiers for years to come."

Lt. Governor Skillman and members of the delegation dealing in grains met with the U.S. Grain Council, American Soybean Association, and Sino Grain. Meat and livestock delegates the Chinese Animal Agriculture Association and Beijing Yufeng International Trade Company.

Lt. Governor Skillman also discussed with Chao the new joint venture between Indianapolis battery maker EnerDel and Wanxiang Group, a Chinese auto-parts maker in Hangzhou. Chao, who was in Indianapolis at the end of last month for the first US-China Advanced Technology Vehicle Summit, visited the Lt. Governor before she left for China.

This is Lt. Governor Skillman's fourth international trade mission since assuming office in 2005. Her trips to Central America in 2005, Taiwan and Vietnam in 2006, and Mexico in 2008 led to business deals for multiple agriculture industries. This mission has been paid for entirely through private donations.