Governor Gregoire Celebrates Hainan inaugural flight

June 9, 2008

*As Written*


Good afternoon, and thank you, Mark for the introduction.

I�m honored to be here to share this happy occasion with Chairman Chen (Chen Feng, Chairman, Hainan Airlines), and also with Lloyd (Hara, Port of Seattle Commissioner), Tay (Yoshitani, Port CEO), Minister Liu (from the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC) and Ambassador Gao (Consul General from San Francisco.

Welcome Chairman Chen. This is a great day for us!

I want to congratulate Hainan Airlines for establishing a direct flight to Beijing � the only one at this point -- and for its long-term commitment to Washington.

This new, direct flight to Beijing is great economic news for Washington.

It comes at a time when other parts of the nation are facing a struggling economy, and airlines are being impacted by high fuel prices and even consolidating or limiting existing flights.

It also comes at a time of great sadness in China. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost so much in the earthquake that occurred just four week�s ago today.

Washington State has an official relationship with Sichuan Province that is more than 25 years old. The citizens of Washington have responded to the earthquake with generous relief contributions, making me very proud of our state.

Hainan correctly recognizes the growth potential at Sea Tac and Washington as a whole.

Hainan�s China flight will further strengthen Washington�s growing ties to China.

China was our largest export market last year. We exported more than $9 billion to China � an increase of 40 percent over the year before.

This flight will also make it easier for investors and tourists from both countries to do business and travel.

When I met two years ago with President Hu Jintao of China, one of the things we discussed was the need for a direct flight between Washington and his nation.

In fact, in promoting international trade, I�ve considered it very important to establish more international flights to capitals all over the world.

And we have succeeded!

Counting Hainan�s new Beijing flight, we have established six new direct international flights in the past three years.

Thank you, Hainan and Chairman Chen, for being such a big part of this success.

Bon Voyage!