From April 16 to 18, Minister Xu Xueyuan of the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. visited the State of North Carolina. During the visit, she met with Governor Roy Cooper and Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest respectively, received a letter of greetings from Senator Thom Tillis, attended the China-Carolinas Connections and Cooperation breakfast round-table, visited the Carolinas Chinese American Civic Center, and held talks with representatives of local Chinese communities. Minister Xu was accompanied by Deputy Consul-General Li Min and Counselor Wang Yong of Congressional and Sub-national Affairs Office for the visit.

During her visit, Minister Xu made briefings on China-U.S. relationship, and pointed out that it is one of the most important relationships in the world. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago, China-U.S. relations has made historic progress and benefited both sides. It has been proved that both countries stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, and there is no better option than cooperation. The two countries need to build a relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability. Minister Xu said, sub-national cooperation is the cornerstone and the most dynamic component of China-U.S. relations. Trade and investment between North Carolina and China has grown rapidly in recent years, and their cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, technology, education and other fields is very promising. China is ready to work with the government and other sectors of North Carolina to expand practical cooperation through sister state/province relationship, the China-U.S. Governors Forum and China-U.S. Sub-national Legislatures Cooperation Forum and other platforms, with a view to delivering more benefits to the two peoples.

North Carolina leaders and representatives from various sectors stated that the U.S.-China relationship is very important and that the two countries should be friends and partners rather than rivals. North Carolina attaches great importance to its relations with China and looks forward to a trade deal between the two countries as soon as possible. It hopes to advance practical cooperation with China for win-win results.

Minister Xu fully affirmed the efforts and achievements that overseas Chinese in North Carolina made to actively integrate into the local society, and encouraged them to continue to work for deeper understanding and stronger cooperation between the two sides.