Governor’s trade mission to China concentrates on government networking

By Cy Ryan

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015 | 10:43 p.m.

Gov. Brian Sandoval’s trade mission to China was more focused on meeting with government officials than with business leaders.

A news release from the governor’s office Tuesday indicated he signed a letter of intent with the governor of the northwestern Chinese province of Shaanxi and a memorandum of understanding with the governor of the eastern coastal province of Jiangsu dealing with air and water pollution, green energy and climate control.

The Desert Research Institute, the environmental research arm of the Nevada System of Higher Education, will return next year with business representatives to meet with Chinese merchants.

Dale Erquiaga, chief strategy officer for the governor, said China offers a great market and “Chinese investments begin with the government.”

This was the second trip by Sandoval to China. He said DRI scientists launched a joint research project with China to analyze indoor pollution and to reduce outside air pollution. China is one of the most heavily polluted nations in the world.

Erquiaga, asked whether the recent downturn in the economy in China would hurt Nevada efforts, said their growth rate is still a relatively high 6.9 percent, down from 10 percent.

He called the mission “a step to open the market for Nevada.”

The governor and his group spent two days in Beijing, two days in Xian, the capital of the Shaanxi province, and one day in Nanjing.

DRI President Stephen Wells signed an agreement with Hohai University in Nanjing to enhance an international research laboratory to look at climate change and the impact on water resources. Both will contribute $250,000 toward the research project.