Washington State China Relations Council

The Washington State China Relations Council is the nation’s leading statewide organization dedicated to promoting stronger commercial, educational and cultural engagement with China.

Founded in 1979 following the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, the Council is the oldest nongovernmental organization advocating at the state level for increased trade connections with the People’s Republic. The Council’s membership comprises over 100 companies, financial institutions, ports, municipal governments, institutions of higher education and cultural organizations. Their support enables the Council to execute its mission of strengthening the Washington State-China relationship, while enhancing broader bilateral U.S.-China ties.

The Council provides its members unparalleled opportunities to build connections with the region’s leading companies, enhance business activity with Chinese partners and expand cultural exchange between Washington State and China. The Council’s staff and board of directors regularly advise leaders from business, government and civic sectors on issues related to China, and the organization plays a central role in the attraction of direct investment from China into Washington State.

Council membership is a key link to China trade leads and business referrals. Members are afforded access to visiting Chinese business delegations and are invited to participate in productive, expertly managed trade missions to China.

During the Council’s history, it has hosted many of China’s most senior officials and prominent business leaders, including all of China’s top leaders from Deng Xiaoping through current President Xi Jinping. Seattle is the only U.S. city besides Washington, DC to host all four Chinese leaders; the Council played a central role in organizing public receptions, private meetings and high-level briefings for each state visit. The Council was a leading organizer of the 2014 Bo’ao Forum in Seattle, the first time the event was held in on U.S. soil.