NEWS RELEASE
May 17, 2006

Lt. Governor Brad Owen, Sichuan Vice Governor
Zhang Zuoha sign bilateral agreement
for more trade and cultural exchanges 

SEATTLE — A memorandum of understanding between Washington State and China’s Sichuan Province that calls for more exchanges in business, culture and industry between the two regions was signed Tuesday, May 16 by Washington Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and Zhang Zuoha, vice governor of Sichuan. 

The signing took place at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall prior to a performance by the Chinese Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe, an event coordinated by the Washington State-Sichuan Province Friendship Association.

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Lt. Governor Owen and Sichuan Vice Governor Zhang Zuoha shake hands on a bilateral agreement for more trade and cultural exchanges in Seattle on May 17. The agreement now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire and the governor of the Sichuan Province for ratification. (Senate staff photo by Dick Milligan).

The memorandum notes that 2007 marks the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of Washington-Sichuan friendship relations, and proposes that Washington state host a high-tech products exhibition in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, as one way to commemorate the anniversary. It also encourages Washington companies to invest in several Sichuan industries and companies within the Sichuan Province to invest in Washington state industries, including environmental technology, high technology, biosciences and agriculture.  

Owen and Zhang agreed to strive for further cooperation in cultural affairs, science, technologies and education.  The pact specifically promotes an even closer relationship between the University of Washington and Sichuan University.

“This agreement will further expand the trading opportunities and ties between our two regions,” said Owen, who met with Zhang just last month in Chengdu.  The memorandum, agreed to in principle by Lt. Gov. Owen and Vice Gov. Zhang, now goes on to Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Sichuan Gov. Zhang Zhongwei for formal ratification.  

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For more information contact:                                           

Brian Dirks
Dirks.brian@leg.wa.gov
Or
Juliette Schindler Kelly
kelly.juliette@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7700