Indiana is celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of its Sister-State Relationship with China’s Zhejiang Province.  Lt. Governor Becky Skillman welcomed Madam Qiao, Zhejiang Province’s Chairwoman to Indianapolis on Wednesday.  The Lt. Governor says the return trade mission highlights the potential within the Indiana-China relationship.  “They continue to talk about two states where they expect the majority of their investment to go,” she says.  “Indiana and California.  I don’t want to beat up on a fellow state – but I do subtly point out why our business climate is so much better here.”

She says continuing to develop that relationship means more economic growth and ultimately more jobs for Hoosiers.

Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Joe Kelsay says people like to sit across the table and do business with people they know.  As the demand for goods and services increase in China – the strength of the 25 year relationship with the Zhejiang Province puts Indiana in a good place.  “Not only do we see that growth in income and in turn that growth in demand – we also have a relationship that has grown and developed over so many years it puts us in a really competitive place as we add opportunities for Hoosiers,” he says.

The delegation from the Zhejiang Province will head to Chicago before making their return to China.