Interview: Hope for closer economic and trade ties with China – Interview with Michigan official Oti McKinley

Xinhua

DETROIT, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Exclusive interview: Hope to establish closer economic and trade ties with China - Visiting Michigan official Oti McKinley

Xinhua News Agency reporter Tan Jingjing

The U.S. state of Michigan, which is famous for its automobile manufacturing, regards trade with China as an important support for its economic development. The relevant person in charge of the Michigan Economic Development Promotion Agency said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency reporter recently that Sino-US economic and trade frictions have seriously damaged the state's trade with China, but despite this, Michigan still has great interest in the Chinese market and looks forward to strengthening economic and trade ties with China.

Michigan is a famous automobile town in the United States, the manufacturing industry is very developed, the three major American automobile companies General Motors, Ford and Chrysler headquarters are located in the state's largest city Detroit. In recent years, Michigan's ties with China have developed strongly and fruitfully.

Oti McKinley, head of external liaison at the Michigan Economic Development Promotion Agency, told Xinhua that China is an important partner of Michigan's economic and trade investment and the third largest export market after Canada and Mexico. In 2018, Michigan exports to China amounted to $3.55 billion.

According to McKinley, more than 300 Chinese companies are currently operating in the state, investing more than $4 billion and creating more than 10,000 jobs. In recent years, the Michigan Economic Development Promotion Agency has sent delegations to China every year to strengthen economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with China and other fields.

"Michigan has benefited greatly from its partnership with China. We are partners, not competitors. We are working to increase exports to China, attract Chinese investment, and create new jobs for Michigan. McKinley said.

Speaking of Sino-US economic and trade frictions, McKinley said that this has undoubtedly adversely affected both countries, and Michigan's economic and trade exchanges with China have also been significantly damaged. "Nevertheless, we remain very interested in the Chinese market and hope to establish closer economic and trade ties with China."

When the reporter interviewed for Automobile Companies such as Ford and the American Mobile Center engaged in autonomous driving testing in Detroit, many respondents said that they maintained exchanges and cooperation with Chinese automakers and China Automotive Technology and Research Center, hoping to continue to work closely with the Chinese auto industry to jointly promote the research and development of technologies such as autonomous driving, and also hoped that Chinese companies would continue to play an active role in promoting the revitalization of Detroit.