On March 24, Consul General Gao Yanping met with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne and Secretary of State Tom Schedler in Baton Rouge, Capital city of Louisiana. Counsellor Yan Guohua and Vice Cousul Wang Rui were present.

Consul General Gao briefed Governor, Lt Governor and Secretary of State on the latest developments of China-U.S. relations and the exchanges and cooperation between China and Louisiana. She stressed that President Hu Jintao's state visit to the U.S. earlier this year achieved huge success. The two head-of-states have reached an important agreement on building a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit between china and the United States, which provides a clear guidance to the future development of China-U.S. relations. The two sides have entered into a new historical stage in developing the bilateral relations, and exchanges and cooperation in different fields are enjoying great momentum. China is a leading export market of Louisiana. The all-around exchanges and cooperation between the two sides are moving on soundly and efficiently. The establishment of a Confucius Institute gains extensive support from the state Government as well as all walks of life in Louisiana and enjoys great prospect. Consul General Gao hopes that the two sides will work together to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples in trade, investment and job opportunities by strengthening all-round exchanges and cooperation. Consul General Gao also invited Governor Jindal, Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne and Secretary of State Tom Schedler to visit China.

Governor Jindal and other elected officials expressed their warm welcome to Consul General Gao for visiting Louisiana. Governor Jindal said that it is a pleasure for Louisiana to develop its relations with China. He is willing to promote the exchanges and cooperation in trade, education, health industry etc. with its Chinese counterparts and feels the necessity for the two sides to join hands. Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne expressed his strong support to the cooperation between China and Louisiana as well as the establishment of Confucius Institute in Xavier University. He hopes that the Confucius Institute could serve as a bridge between the two sides. Secretary of State Tom Schedler mentioned that China and the United States fought shoulder by shoulder in the World War II against the Japanese invaders. He and his team are preparing to build Flying Tiger museums in the state of Louisiana. He suggested that, based on the China-U.S. traditional friendship, Louisiana should further its exchanges and cooperation with China in the cultural area to deepen the friendship and understanding between the two peoples. Governor Jindal and other elected officials showed great interest in visiting China soon.

Consul General Gao also exchanged views on issues of common interest with her local hosts.