On April 19, 2013, during a visit to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Consul General Xu Erwen met with Governor Alejandro García Padilla at the Governor’s mansion. Secretary of State David Bernier, Deputy Secretary of State Javier Gonzalez from the Puerto Rican side and Counselor Zhang Yiqun, Consuls Zhou Yujiang, Fan Yong, Duan Fenghua from the Consulate General were present.

Governor García Padilla extended his warm welcome to Consul General Xu and briefed her with the economic and educational development of Puerto Rico. He expressed that the government of Puerto Rico attaches great importance to the development of economic, trade and educational ties with China. The Governor advocated Puerto Rico’s important location and its incentive policies towards investment and trade, and said that with the expansion of Panama Canal, Puerto Rico is capable of becoming a business center connecting the mainland of the U.S., Caribbean and Latin-American countries. He stated that Puerto Rico is open to foreign investments and welcomes Chinese entrepreneurs. He also voiced that Puerto Rico is willing to establish friendly cooperative partnerships with Chinese local governments and willing to promote Chinese-language education in Puerto Rico.

Consul General Xu congratulated Mr. García Padilla on his assumption of office as the Governor, and briefed him with China-U.S. relations and the economic development of China. After reviewing the progress of economic and educational relations between China and Puerto Rico, Consul General Xu pointed out that there are huge potential and great opportunities for the growth of exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. She assured that the Chinese Consulate General in Houston will work together with the Puerto Rican Government in promoting trade relations and people-to-people exchanges between China and Puerto Rico. Consul General Xu also expressed her appreciation to Governor García Padilla and the government entities of Puerto Rico for their efforts in ensuring a safe and good environment for the local Chinese community.