—Today, members of the Washington state congressional delegation invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to include Washington state as part of his first official state visit to the United States later this year. In extending the invitation, the members emphasized the importance of the relationship between China and Washington state.

“Your upcoming state visit to the United States is an important opportunity for our two governments to address the challenges we face and discuss issues where our interests are aligned.  In this spirit, we invite you to visit ‘the Evergreen State' to learn firsthand about the relationship between China and Washington state,” the members wrote.

Full text of the letter follows.

His Excellency Xi Jinping

President of the People's Republic of China

c/o H.E. Cui Tiankai

3505 International Place NW

Washington, DC 20008

Dear President Xi:

As you prepare for your first official state visit to the United States, we would like to extend an invitation for you to visit Washington state.  We represent Washington in the House and Senate, and know firsthand the importance of positive relations between our two countries to our state.

Trade between China and Washington is important to both economies.  In 2014, Washington imported $8.29 billion worth of goods from China.  And China was Washington's top international market, representing 22.9% of all of the state's exports.  This trade is not a recent development.  Our economies have been tied together since the mid-1700s, when traders sold fur pelts from the Pacific Northwest for tea and spices in China.

Your upcoming state visit to the United States is an important opportunity for our two governments to address the challenges we face and discuss issues where our interests are aligned.  In this spirit, we invite you to visit “the Evergreen State” to learn firsthand about the relationship between China and Washington state.

Sincerely,

Patty Murray                                                  

U.S. Senator

Maria Cantwell

U.S. Senator

Rick Larsen                                                                

Member of Congress                                                  

Jim McDermott

Member of Congress

Adam Smith                                                               

Member of Congress

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Member of Congress

Dave Reichert                                                            

Member of Congress

Jaime Herrera Beutler

Member of Congress

Suzan DelBene                                                          

Member of Congress                                                  

Denny Heck

Member of Congress

Derek Kilmer                                                             

Member of Congress

Dan Newhouse

Member of Congress