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BEIJING, CHINA- September 23, 2005 - Gov. Christine Gregoire spent a full day meeting in Beijing with government officials and industry representatives on her Asia trade mission to promote business and agricultural trade from Washington State. Former governor Gary Locke accompanied Gov. Gregoire on several of her official visits.

The day began with an early morning briefing on trade-related issues by U.S. Embassy staff for Gov. Gregoire and the full delegation. The briefing was followed by two important contract signings. Gov. Gregoire joined Bill Mann, Vice President International Sales for Washington state-based United Coatings, and Zhou Hualin, General Manager for Beijing Jian Gong Hua Engineering Technology in a signing ceremony celebrating a contract for United Coatings to provide bridge deck membraning material for the high-speed rail lines that the government is building around Beijing. There will be 13 lines constructed prior to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the first alone will require over 1 million gallons of waterproof coating.

The governor then joined Mike Crowley from Sharpe Mixers, a Washington company, and Fan Xinkuan, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Bootes Electric Power Science and Technology Co., in signing a contract to provide environmental clean up processes for coal burning plants in Mongolia.

The governor and selected members of her delegation were invited inside the Great Red Wall in Beijing to be received by State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, a top-ranking government official whom Gov. Gregoire had met when he was in Washington State earlier this year.

"Washington State under your leadership stands out from other states in America. We attach great significance to the agreements and contracts we have with Washington State and hope they will continue to be implemented," said Councilor Tang. "I think Madame Governor is a great governor who makes Washington better for its people. I have full confidence in you."

In the afternoon, following lunch meetings on potential for Chinese airline service to Washington, Gov. Gregoire and members of the delegation met with the agriculture minister. Talks centered on ensuring safe agricultural products while opening up trade, with both Gov. Gregoire and the Chinese asking for quicker review of their products to allow quality agricultural products to markets in China and Washington State.

Gov. Gregoire also met with Vice Chair Standing Committee of the People's Congress, Mr. Zheng Hua Jiang. They agreed that China and the U.S. have differences but that the two countries also have much in common. The governor suggested the way to mutual peace and prosperity was through open and honest dialogue that would build trust and allow for continued business and education exchanges.

The afternoon of meetings concluded with a meeting between Gov. Gregoire and the Vice Mayor of Beijing. Included in their discussion was the idea of an exchange between schoolchildren to seek increased mutual cultural understanding within the framework of China's hosting of the 2008 Olympics.

Gov. Gregoire and delegation members then attended a reception followed by a dinner discussion featuring Wei Jiafu, President and CEO of China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO), one of the largest shipping container operators in the world and a significant client of Washington ports.

The delegation is promoting Washington products, services and investment opportunities, with a focus on the aerospace and food processing industries, and raising the state's visibility as a premier tourism destination. On Sunday they will travel to Shanghai, the last stop on an 11-day mission to Japan and China.

For more information on the trade mission please visit the governor's website:

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Gov. Christine Gregoire meets with high-ranking Chinese officials and celebrates new contracts between Washington and Chinese companies