U.S. state Virginia courts international investment, including China

Global Business

Half-way through his term as governor of the commonwealth of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe is all about trade. In 2014, Virginia exported more than $19 billion in goods, and $2 billion of that was to China.

CCTV America’s Jessica Stone reports from Alexandria, Virginia.

Top Virginia exports, 2014:

* Processed foods
* Machinery
* Transportation equipment
* Electronics
* Chemicals

Source: International Trade Administration

McAuliffe traveled to China twice last year and tells CCTV America that he just met with the Chinese ambassador to look for more opportunities.

But he’s also traveling to other countries hoping to negotiate trade deals so the commonwealth isn’t dependent on one trading partner.

In 2014, Virginia’s current top exports range from processed foods such as pork and poultry to chemicals, but the commonwealth’s strategy isn’t just increasing trade but attracting more foreign direct investment.

More than 750 internationally-owned companies reside here, employing thousands.

The largest of these companies is Tranlin, a sustainable paper company from Shandong province, China due to open its doors by 2019.