Local dignitaries meet Chinese president
Local and state leaders welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping during a series of afternoon meetings at the Westin Seattle. President Xi and members of the Chinese government met with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and members of the Washington Congressional delegation Monday afternoon.
As a top trade partner, President Xi called Seattle "America's gateway to Asia," during prepared remarks upon his arrival, according to Reuters. Washington state was strategically chosen as the President's first stop before heading to Washington D.C. later in the week.
“I think it shows Washington State is on the map when it comes to Asia-Pacific issues," said Representative Rick Larsen (D-2nd District), who co-chairs a U.S. China working group.
Rep. Larsen attended Monday's meeting with President Xi, along with Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-1st District), Derek Kilmer (D-6th District), Jim McDermott (D-7th District) and Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington).
Media access was limited to just a few minutes during the initial meeting with local elected officials, as well as a later meeting with five U.S. Governors and six Chinese Governors.
However, attendees say talks on Monday focused on trade, business opportunities and climate change. Conversations are expected to turn more serious when President Xi meets with President Obama on Thursday. Tensions remain over key issues including cyber attacks, territorial disputes in the South China Sea, as well as the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
"I know there are some folks who do try to characterize the U.S. China relationship based on only the challenges we have in front of us. I think the fact is the maturity of that relationship is such that we can address those challenges, recognize those challenges, whether that’s cyber security or regional security issues like the South China Sea while at the same time moving forward on trade, and economic development and economic growth," Rep. Larsen told KING 5.
Economic opportunities surrounding clean energy technology remained a key focus during Monday's Governors' Forum attended by Governor Jay Inslee, as well as Governor Jerry Brown (D-California), Governor Rick Snyder (R-Michigan), Governor Terry Branstad (R-Iowa), and Governor Kate Brown (D-Oregon), along with six Chinese Governors.
Their conversation was sealed with the signing of an agreement. See accord here or below.
"What that means for Washington state," explained Rep. Larsen, "We have companies that are involved in trade and environmental services and goods that can help them address serious environmental challenges they have."
Governor Inslee tweeted that he was proud to join the U.S. and China governors in signing an accord on clean technology and economic development.
Inslee also said Washington officials had a "good dialogue" with Pres. Xi on close ties and "points of tension."
Later in the evening, a reception and dinner will be held for President Xi, during which he will give the only policy speech of his U.S. visit, according to organizers.
Among those attending: Governors involved in the day's events, as well as U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Congressman Rick Larsen (D-2nd District), Mayor Ed Murray, Former Governor and U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke, Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Gates, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, as well as several other major CEOs.