News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 25, 1997
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke kicks off first international mission to Asia

SEATTLE - With huge cargo ships anchored in the waters of Elliott Bay behind him, Gov. Gary Locke today had his first meeting with community and business leaders who will accompany him to Japan, China and Hong Kong in October. It is the governor's first international mission since taking office.

"This visit will build relationships with our Pacific Rim neighbors in the areas of international trade, education and culture," Locke said at a news conference at the Bell Harbor Conference Center. "It is through personal relationships that we can open doors for further exchanges that will benefit people on both sides of the Pacific." Locke noted the importance of personal relationships when conducting business with Asia.

Locke was joined by representatives of business, government and education who echoed his message of relationships. Sen. Alex Deccio-R, Yakima, will be among the Washington delegation.

Tim Douglas, director of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; and Jim Jesernig, director of the Department of Agriculture, also will accompany the governor on his international mission.

"International trade is a growing industry in our state and this visit by Gov. Locke will help to build a stronger base for Washington business," Douglas said. "One in four jobs in Washington is related to international trade and projections show a steady growth for that industry."

"Asia is a critical marketplace for Washington agriculture now and will become even more important in the future," Jesernig said. "We will help our industry partners reduce the barriers and ensure unimpeded access to Asian markets by building personal ties with government officials, importers, distributors and trade representatives."

The governor received formal invitations from the governments of China and Japan. Among his activities will be meetings with government leaders in Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Hong Kong. He also will visit historic and cultural sites, including the Great Wall of China, an archaeological site in the Sichuan Province that features bronze statues slated for exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum in 2001.

Also on the governor's schedule is a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to China, James R. Sasser, a visit to the Beijing Air Show and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Washington State Trade Office in Shanghai.

The governor also plans to visit the Shishi Middle School in Chengdu, which has an exchange program at Snohomish High School. He then will travel to Hong Kong for a series of meetings with government officials there.

The final leg of the journey will be a private visit for the governor and members of his family to the ancestral village where his father was born. The village, known as Jilong, is west of Hong Kong in Guangdong Province.

The governor and his delegation depart from Seattle on Oct.1 and return Oct. 12.

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