WELCOME

Recently, I traveled twice to China to further relations between our two governments and citizens. In August, I was one of eight Senators to meet with members of China’s National People’s Congress in Beijing and Guilin for the third year of an inter-parliamentary dialogue. We also met with China’s President Hu Jintao, only the third U.S. Congressional delegation to do so. (I was also part of the first.)

In October, I traveled at my own expense to Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, where I met with officials from China’s largest steel company, BaoSteel, to explore the possibility of that company’s purchasing Minnesota iron ore or taconite. In Tianjin, I visited an orphanage from which I had earlier helped a Minnesota family to adopt a Chinese orphan.

After I leave the Senate, I hope to continue my role in advancing constructive relationships between the governments and the peoples of the United States and China. China is well on its way to becoming the world’s second greatest superpower; thus, those relationships will have profound effects on the world’s security and prosperity in the years ahead.

To view a photo gallery of my recent trip to China, click HERE.

Mark also recently visited Minnesota National Guard troops in Iraq. To learn more about his visit click HERE.