On April 9, 2012, Vice Premier Wang Qishan met with Arkansas governor Mike Beebe in Zhongnanhai.

During their meeting, Wang attributed the quick development of sub-national cooperation over the past years between China and the United States to the two nations' common pursuit of mutual benefit and a win-win situation. The pragmatic cooperation has brought substantial benefits to the people of the two countries, said the vice premier. Wang said he hoped that Arkansas will boost cooperation with Chinese provinces and cities in trade, investment, technology, tourism and finance among others. Both the Chinese and the U.S. governments should make efforts to create favorable environments for sub-national and enterprise-to-enterprise cooperation to spur economic growth and increase jobs in the two nations, he said.

Beebe told Wang that his state is willing to expand cooperation with the Chinese side and he welcomes Chinese investment in Arkansas.