Governor Pete Ricketts: A good relationship always has room to grow

What is the status of sister-state-province relationships between Nebraska and China? What role can province-state-level ties contribute to further strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation between China and the US?

Nebraska established a sister-state relationship with Guizhou province in 2005.

Last year, Shaanxi province Governor Hu Heping and I announced a new formalized relationship between Shaanxi and Nebraska as sister states. This came together as part of a four-year effort to build partnerships and develop ties between the two states. Our relationship has been very beneficial to both Nebraska and Shaanxi. Our universities have partnered to create our Confucius Institute here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), as well as a joint degree program in Food Science and Technology between UNL and Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University (NWAFU). UNL and NWAFU also have growing joint research and extension programs.

The city of Omaha also has a sister-city relationship with Yantai, Shandong. The Omaha company of Valmont Industries has a large manufacturing presence in Yantai, which serves as the basis of the relationship.

Programs like these foster a shared purpose and understanding between our two countries. Growing our relationship is good in and of itself, but can also lead to other benefits such as bilateral trade agreements. As we become stronger partners we will naturally look for ways to give our partnerships more room to grow.

You have a strong business background and emphasize building a long-term relationship with China. How are you going to create a pro-business environment in Nebraska for investors, including those from China?

A long-term relationship with China is crucial to the well-being of both of our countries. As China continues to see rapid economic growth, Chinese consumers are going to want the world-class goods and services that come from Nebraska's farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and other producers.

Nebraska is already one of the best places to do business, so we need to ensure that it is also one of the best places to invest.

To help accomplish this I've been pushing for both tax and regulatory reform. Nebraska already provides tax incentives to investing companies. These incentives help ease the tax burden at different rates based on the money invested and the amount of jobs created.

What's the current situation regarding the export of Nebraska beef to the Chinese market? What's the status of agricultural trade and cooperation as well as agricultural research and development between Nebraska and China?

The United States has sent $17.2 million worth of beef to China. Over $8.7 million of that came from Nebraska, placing our market share at 50.5 percent. So far, Nebraska is the No 1 state for beef exports to China.

This certainly isn't surprising to me. Nebraska has the best beef in the United States and our friends in China understand and demand our world-class quality.

There needs to be a commitment to cooperation in agriculture moving forward. The Chinese population keeps increasing along with their buying power.

One important partnership between the China and Nebraska agriculture industries comes from our irrigation companies. Nebraska produces 80 percent of the world's center pivot irrigation equipment.

Nebraska pivot manufacturers like Lindsay Manufacturing, Reinke Manufacturing, and Valmont Industries all have operations in China.

Their products can be seen at work in the demonstration farm in Yangling. This farm, established in 2016, is helping both Nebraskans and Chinese citizens discover more effective and efficient ways to work in the agriculture industry and is helping the Chinese people gain food security.

You said in an interview in May that China's rapidly increasing middle class presents opportunities for Nebraska. Since many affluent Chinese consumers shop for foreign goods online, how will Nebraska make use of e-commerce platforms to further promote its trade with China? What products from Nebraska can be offered to those affluent Chinese consumers?

There are already a number of Nebraska items for sale on e-commerce platforms. Just as an example, Chinese consumers can find high-quality Nebraska beef on JD.com. Nebraska produces some of the best tasting and highest quality beef in the world.

Preferred Popcorn of Fremont, Nebraska also sells their great products in China. Chinese sports fans can take their programs to the next level with Nebraska-born Hudl. Hudl is a sports analytics company that offers world-class software services for sports teams and athletes around the world.

What role can tourism play in promoting people-to-people friendship? What can Nebraska tourism offer to Chinese tourists?

According to US Travel, travel demonstrably builds bridges. In turbulent global times, travel creates deeper ties between nations and gives its citizens new perspectives. Particularly, international travelers who visit the US, whether on business or leisure trips or through a work exchange like the J-1 visa program, are 74 percent more likely to leave with a favorable impression—and return with their friends and families.

Nebraska has plenty of places for Chinese tourists to visit. It is where the rough and rugged culture of the Old West meets the beautiful wide-open spaces and sweeping vistas of the prairie. You can go horseback riding through the trails of Fort Robinson State Park, hike Chimney Rock in the Panhandle, or view the majestic sandhill crane migration.

Alongside the great outdoors, we have a vibrant city life. In Omaha we have the Henry-Doorly Zoo, which has been ranked the second-best zoo in America by USA Today readers. You can also take the time to watch a Husker football game in Lincoln.