On January 19, Chinese Consul General Xu Erwen visited the State of Arkansas and met with US Senator Mark Pryor. Consul Yao Weike and Senator Pryor's Chief of Staff for Arkansas Mr. Randy Massanelli were present.

Consul General Xu gave her best wishes for the Year of Dragon to Senator Pryor and briefed the senator with the latest development of China-U.S. relations and the cooperation between China and Arkansas. Consul General Xu said, the current China-U.S. relationship is in good shape and the two sides are jointly building a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. The two countries are having frequent high-level visits and ever-increasing cooperation in various areas. Two way investment between China and the state of Arkansas are steadily increasing and China has become the fastest growing export market for Arkansas. Consul General Xu also pointed out that, the stable and sound development of China-U.S. relations not only benefits the peoples of the two countries, but also contributes to peace, stability and prosperity of the world at large. China is willing to work together with the U.S. to further enrich the cooperative partnership by increasing understanding between the two peoples and promoting economic cooperation between the two countries.

Senator Pryor expressed his warm welcome to Consul General Xu. The senator said cooperation with China is important to the U.S., all U.S. states including Arkansas want to increase their economic and educational cooperation with China. He hopes that Arkansas enterprises could seize the good opportunity of China's rapid economic growth and increase their exports to China. Senator Pryor also wished to see more Chinese investments in Arkansas.

Consul General Xu and Senator Pryor also exchanges views on other topics of their common interest.