Over the past three decades, bilateral relations between the US state of Iowa and Hebei province have continued to strengthen.

In April, agriculture and service companies visited the province to further enhance the partnership, led by Terry Branstad, governor of Iowa.

Branstad said the cooperation has had fruitful achievements and he hopes both sides can further boost ties at the level of governments, enterprises and people.

Zhang Qingwei, governor of Hebei, said that the two sides need to explore additional ways for cooperation in areas such as new energy, environmental protection, urban planning and infrastructure.

Iowa is strong in agriculture, ranking first in the US in corn and soybean production. Other industries that contribute to its surging economic development include biotechnology, manufacturing, communications and financial services.

History

In 1983, Hebei and Iowa officially established friendship. Two years later, Xi Jinping, then Party chief of Zhengding county, visited the US state.

Xi's visit focused on agriculture, setting the stage for frequent exchanges.

In 2012, Xi attended a seminar on agriculture in Iowa, where he met with Branstad.

A Hebei delegation headed by Zhang held exchanges with government officials, businessmen, educators, and associations in Iowa.

Iowa's governor then led a delegation to China from May to June last year.

It visited rural areas and schools in Hebei to deepen cooperation in agriculture and education.

Three cities Shijiazhuang, Handan, Tangshan and Zhengding in Hebei have established sister relationships with Des Moines, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Muscatine County in Iowa for 30 years.

Achievements

Hebei and Iowa have cooperated in a wide range of areas including agriculture, trade, culture, sports and education.

In 1997, Huamu Husbandry Co in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei, began importing laying hens valued at 150 million yuan ($24.2 million) from Hy-line International, a world leader in poultry breeding based in Iowa.

Bilateral exchanges are also blossoming in culture.

With support from the Iowa Friendship Association, art troupes from Hebei perform Peking Opera, acrobatics and folk dances in Iowa.

In 1995 and 1997, TV stations from both sides made documentaries on Hebei agriculture and travel along with a program called "Beautiful Iowa".

Many scholars and students have been sent to Iowa for study and research. High schools and universities in Hebei frequently work with sister schools in Iowa on instruction and student exchanges.

Drake University in Iowa has sent 73 graduates to teach Chinese students in Hebei, relieving the province's shortage of foreign teachers.

Hebei and Iowa also cooperate in healthcare. From 1986 to 2006, the Health Bureau of Hebei has sent three delegations to Iowa for medical training.

Professors of public health from the University of Iowa and the head of the healthcare department in Iowa also visited Hebei to share experience on immunization, public health, women's health and AIDS.

China Daily

(China Daily USA 10/18/2013 page20)