Maryland's Governor Larry Hogan wrapped up a three-day visit to China after meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong and US Ambassador Max Baucus, and taking part in a signing ceremony for Maryland and Chinese companies.

Hogan and a delegation of 30 people from Maryland were in China as part of a 12-day, three-nation tour to bolster trade ties with China, South Korea and Japan.

The Republican governor met with the vice-premier on Monday to reinforce the state's focus on growing high-level ties with the Chinese government, the governor's office said in a statement after the meeting.

"Today we reinforced the importance of having a strong relationship as we work to improve our ties in the areas of international business, investment, trade, education, and technology," the governor said.

Vice-Premier Liu called for the state - which has a sister agreement with Anhui province in China - to continue cooperation with China and said that the US and China should "deepen cooperation and promote bilateral ties to develop a sound and stable track", according to Xinhua.

China is the second-largest importer for Maryland, and the country is the state's third-largest export market. Last year, Maryland exported $714 million worth of goods and services to China, according to figures from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. China exported $3.1 billion worth of goods to Maryland.

On the trip, the governor also met with Ambassador Baucus in Beijing to address the Maryland China Center for Maryland companies looking to do business in China and Chinese companies looking to do business in Maryland.

"In 1996, Maryland was the first state to sponsor a market development presence in China, continuing a long history of collaboration between our two countries," said Governor Hogan at the meeting. "I'd like to thank Ambassador Baucus for hosting today's meeting, and I look forward to working with him to improve investment and trade between Maryland and China."

On Tuesday, Hogan attended a signing ceremony where Maryland and Chinese companies inked new business partnerships, including Marriott International's deal to work with Chinese developer R&F Real Estate Development to operate a 350-room Ritz Carlton in Harbin, and the announcement by two Chinese companies - Shanghai Tongji Biological Products Co and Ankang Shimao Biotechnology Co - of plans to set up US operations in Maryland.

The Chinese companies will join the Maryland International Incubator, which helps international foreign companies break into the US market. There are currently six Chinese and Chinese-American companies based out of the Maryland International Incubator.

"These two Chinese companies will join others already located at Maryland International Incubator from countries like Japan, Italy, and Israel," said Kai Duh, director of the Maryland International Incubator, at the ceremony.

Under Armour, a Maryland-based sports brand, celebrated the construction of a new retail location in Beijing, and Governor Hogan, along with Under Armour's managing director for China attended.

The brand has already opened close to 50 stores in China.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com