The Pacific Ocean proves to be no obstacle for two governors, one American, one Chinese, as they were united by their shared zest for their common goal: go west.
Frank Keating, governor of Oklahoma from the United States, came to northwest China's Gansu province for the 10th China
Lanzhou Investment and Trade Fair which closed here on August 30.
Governor of Gansu, Lu Hao, felt honored and was more than happy to meet with Keating.
It was Keating's first trip to the northwestern Chinese province, the starting point of the magnificent ancient Great Wall. Gansu forged the tie of sistership with his state, Oklahoma, in June of 1985. The sister state and province then initiated cooperation in fields such as culture, science, education and high-tech.
Both Oklahoma and Gansu are less-developed western areas in their respective countries, said Keating, offering his business cards displaying both the US and Chinese national flags.
The sister state and province have been involved in each other's economic development for the past 17 years. Keating noted that he'd made a wise choice to invest in China's west.
Although Oklahoma and Gansu are agricultural giants with abundant energy resources, both still lag behind coastal areas in their respective countries.
Lu Hao, showing his own bilingual business cards, held that China's go-west movement is a very good opportunity that should not be missed.
With the ancient Silk Road threading through the province, Gansu was once a cross-roads where East met West.
"My province will forge ahead with the strategy of reform and opening-up," Lu said, adding that this province hopes to boost its economy with investment from overseas.
A sistership agreement between
Lanzhou No.1 Middle School and a mathematics and science school in Oklahoma was signed on the first day of the fair.
Keating acknowledged that scientific and educational cooperation will enhance the friendship between the young and provide more common ground on their way to prosperity.
Tourism will be a promising industry as part of Gansu's development drive, said Keating, who was convinced of the province's potential after observing its urban infrastructure, services, expressways and administrative efficiency.
A growing number of entrepreneurs hold that modern communication technology and well-developed urban infrastructure have greatly narrowed the gap between the coastal areas and the interior.
Nevertheless, both Oklahoma and Gansu will have to make still better use of local resources, said Keating.
China introduced the go-west movement in 1999 to accelerate the development of its less developed western areas. Oklahoma hopes to participate in this movement, said the US governor.
