Oregon State Senate President Rob Wagner receives a gift from Zhang Jianmin, Chinese Consul General in San Francisco on June 3. [Photo/China Daily]
On June 3 (local time), Oregon State Senate President Rob Wagner expressed excitement about his upcoming trip to China this fall. "I've never been to China before, so this will be my first trip. We plan to explore opportunities for cooperation with Chinese partners in areas like trade, agriculture, and clean energy, and further solidify our sister state and city relationships," he said.
Wagner's schedule that day was packed with China-related events. In the morning, the Oregon Senate welcomed the Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin and his delegation. In the afternoon, Wagner chaired a joint Senate-House special hearing, where representatives from the Oregon China Council and other China-friendly groups presented their views. The session concluded with a vote to reconvene the Oregon-China Sister State Committee (OCSSC) as of June 3. Wagner also met with the visiting delegation from Fujian province, led by Fujian Vice-Governor Wang Jinfu and praised the longstanding partnership established 41 years ago between Oregon and Fujian, which has yielded remarkable achievements and benefited both peoples.
During the session, Zhang Jianmin also shared his reflections on the recent adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution 32 (SCR32), which aims to strengthen China-U.S. relations at the local level. Wagner emphasized that Oregon remains committed to fostering ties with China.
Lan Jin, the newly appointed executive chair of the OCSSC, shared his deep emotions about the legislative journey. Since early spring, he has been tirelessly meeting with bipartisan lawmakers to advocate for the resolution. He said, "Given today's complex international climate, increasing uncertainties, and the negative rhetoric surrounding U.S.-China ties in some states, Oregon's decision to reaffirm friendship with China sends a clear signal of rational thinking, openness, and a strong desire for mutual development. It's a very positive move."
According to the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, China is one of Oregon's top trading partners. In 2023, bilateral trade between the two reached $7.84 billion (56.3 billion yuan), marking a 29% year-on-year increase and supporting over 35,000 jobs in Oregon. China also accounted for 20% of total U.S. agricultural exports and purchased 50% of U.S. soybeans last year—equivalent to $9,000 worth of farm products per American farmer. As the world's largest exporter and importer of agricultural goods, the U.S. and China share broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Wang Jinfu noted that Oregon is Fujian's first sister state in the United States. Over the past 41 years, exchanges have flourished across both governmental and grassroots levels. Oregon's grass seed has been introduced to Fujian to improve pasturelands; major Oregon-based companies like Cascade and Nike have invested in Fujian; and both sides have co-hosted forums on climate change and sustainable development. In addition, young officials and professionals have participated in regular exchanges, while a wide array of cultural activities, TV weeks, photo exhibitions, concerts, librarian visits, traditional performances, and friendship forums, have deepened mutual understanding and trust.
Wagner highlighted key points of the sister-state resolution, including encouraging the establishment of Oregon trade offices in China, supporting visits to China by the governor and legislators, backing the resumption of OCSSC, and promoting cooperation in shipping and port operations. "We're still finalizing the delegation," he said, "but we plan to visit Fujian and several other cities and regions in China. At a time like this, maintaining and advancing sister-state relationships is more important than ever. Our focus will be on economic cooperation and development."
Wang proposed that the two sides jointly promote green, low-carbon development by co-hosting the fifth China-Oregon Climate Change and Sustainable Development Forum. He also encouraged deeper collaboration between universities and research institutions in areas such as forest carbon sinks and blue carbon trading. On economic cooperation, he invited Oregon to participate in the upcoming China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), to be held in Xiamen this September. Lastly, emphasizing the value of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, he invited Oregon to join the 2025 Bond with Kuliang: China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival this July in Fujian, and encouraged more cultural heritage projects and performances from Fujian to be showcased in Oregon.
