Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 26, 2002
Contact:  Roger Nyhus or Kirsten Kendrick, Governor’s Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Sharon Wallace, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 360-725-4019; Yvonne Leach, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 206-766-2903

Gov. Gary Locke, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President to Travel to China to Promote Trade, Celebrate 30-Year Milestone

Gov. Gary Locke and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Alan Mulally today announced they would travel to Beijing, China, next week to promote trade and celebrate Boeing’s 30-year partnership with the country.

While on the Dec. 1-6 trip, the governor will also stop in Singapore to build connections for Washington companies and institutions involved in the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

The main purpose of the governor’s trip is to commemorate Boeing’s 30-year business relationship with China. The company sold its first Boeing 707s to China in 1972, following former President Richard Nixon’s historic trip to China that same year.

“The governor has been a great supporter of Boeing, and we’re pleased he’s decided to help us celebrate this important event,” Mulally said.

“We recognize and congratulate Boeing on three decades of doing business with China,” Locke said. “Boeing has played a key role in opening up trade with China for our state and for our country.”

Mulally and Locke will take part in ceremonies marking the 30th anniversary and will meet with Chinese government officials in Beijing on Dec. 3.

Martha Choe, director of the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, will accompany the governor. While in China, Locke and Choe plan to meet with the head of the 2008 Olympics Organizing Committee in Beijing to advocate the participation of Washington companies in the planning, construction and management of the 2008 Olympics.

Locke and Choe will also travel to Singapore Dec. 4-6 to lay the groundwork for collaboration between Singapore and Washington research institutions and companies in the life sciences and biotechnology industries. Locke and Choe will tout Washington state’s vast resources in the biotechnology field and promote partnerships with Washington companies.

Washington is the third leading U.S. exporter to Asia. It is the second leading U.S. exporter to both Mainland China and Singapore. In 2001, Washington’s exports totaled $2.9 billion to China and $3 billion to Singapore.

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Related Links:
- Governor's Web site
- Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Web site
- Boeing Web site

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