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Mission to China 2005

Governor Tim Pawlenty, joined by First Lady Mary Pawlenty, led the State of Minnesota Mission to China from November 11-19, 2005 as part of the Minnesota-China Partnership. A record 218 delegates, including the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services, Mr. Al Frink, participated in 101 events in four cities ( Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen) over six days. This historic mission was the largest mission to China ever organized by any state from the U.S.

The objectives of the mission were to:

• Increase trade opportunities by providing a forum for Minnesota companies to acquire market information, assess market potential, evaluate market entry strategies, and identify potential business partners.
• Promote investment opportunities in Minnesota.
• Develop greater understanding of U.S.-China relations.
• Strengthen existing relationships and seek new ties.
• Demonstrate Minnesota's commitment to its broad relationship with China.

Also participating in the mission were seven Minnesota high school students. These "student ambassadors" used technology provided by the Best Buy Children's Foundation to share their experiences in China through an educational web site available to students and teachers statewide.

Download list of Mission Participants [PDF]

Download brief Profiles [PDF] of Participating Companies and Organizations

Download Governor Pawlenty's News Release introducing the "Student Ambassadors."

Download list of Mission Sponsors [PDF]

Download Post-Mission Preliminary Report [PDF], which highlights selected mission events and provides an initial assessment of results.