Team Illinois strengthens Illinois-China trade and investment relations
As part of ongoing efforts to foster collaboration and attract investment to Illinois, members of Team Illinois traveled across China this summer as part of a broader Midwest trade delegation. Intersect Illinois regularly engages in visits like this — the recent delegation to Canada is another example — that provide unique opportunities to engage with business and government leaders in key markets, build strong relationships, promote Illinois’ position as a global business destination, and ultimately draw international companies to the state.
Organized by the China General Chamber of Commerce U.S.A-Chicago and the China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA), Team Illinois engaged with over 50 Chinese companies and discussed expansion opportunities with business leaders throughout the country.
The Midwest delegation comprised nearly 20 business, civic and political leaders, including the following Team Illinois participants:
- John Atkinson, Intersect Illinois Chairman
- Michael Fassnacht, Clayco’s President of Chicagoland Region and Chief Growth Officer and Intersect board member
- Pin Ni, President of Wanxiang America, General Chamber of Commerce U.S.A-Chicago board member and Intersect Illinois board member
- Samir Mayekar, Associate Vice President and Managing Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Anne Dempsey, Executive Vice President at Colliers International
- Mary Ma, Managing Director of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s China Trade Office
The delegation’s visit featured site tours to some of China’s most prominent companies, matchmaking opportunities and productive discussions focused on the potential for increased collaboration and investment.
Highlights of the Delegation Trip:
Shanghai
The Midwest delegation kicked off the China road show with a visit to the Jiading Hydrogen Energy Port, Shanghai’s first hydrogen energy and fuel cell industrial park. Team Illinois noted both Illinois and the city’s deep commitment and interest in advancing clean energy innovation, engaging in productive conversations with Shanghai representatives about the adoption of EV and hydrogen-powered vehicles to meet clean energy goals.
Additionally, the delegation participated in a matchmaking session with Chinese companies and toured the Global Harbor shopping mall, one of the largest malls in the world.
Zhangjiagang
Next, the delegation headed to Zhangjiagang to tour one of the world’s most prominent agricultural companies, China Oil and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO). The group learned about soybean crushing and processing at Eastocean Oils & Grains Industries, COFCO’s largest facility in China. Notably, Illinois is the No. 1 producer of soybeans in the U.S. and China is a top trading partner for this versatile crop.
Qingdao
The group’s next stop was to Qingdao, where they talked with more than 10 companies based in and around the coastal city about growing in Illinois. The team visited CRRC, a global leader in train manufacturing that has produced trains for the Chicago Transit Authority in Chicago since 2016. The group also visited Haier, the largest appliances company in the world, which employs thousands of U.S.-based workers. The group learned about Haier’s successful expansion in the Midwest after acquiring GE Appliances in 2016.
While in Qingdao, Intersect Illinois Chairman John Atkinson shared what makes Illinois an unmatched global business destination — its central location, robust infrastructure, and available and skilled workforce — with Chinese and American business leaders, including those from the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Commerce, at the U.S. Midwest Forum.
Beijing
The trip concluded with a stop in Beijing, China’s capital. Over the trip’s final two days, the group met with the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy on how to better understand and navigate bilateral business opportunities. Additionally, the Illinois delegation met with nearly 20 Chinese companies interested in expanding in Illinois.
This most recent delegation visit to China is a prime example of Intersect Illinois’ efforts to engage with international companies and showcase the state’s business advantages. In meeting with over 50 Chinese organizations in key thriving industries, Intersect and its Team Illinois partners highlighted how the state’s welcoming business environment, world-class infrastructure and strong pipeline of talent contribute to its position as a premier destination for global companies looking to grow.
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