Warrensville Heights Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge led a Congressional Black Caucus delegation to China last week, where she and nine colleagues discussed foreign, domestic, and economic policy with Chinese, Hong Kong, and U.S. government officials, as well as members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
Fudge and her colleagues visited Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong during the weeklong trip paid for by the Chinese government. While in China, Fudge and the group met with Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and other high-level officials.
The trip hosted by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs is Fudge's first excursion abroad in her official role as Congressional Black Caucus chair. It is also the first time a black caucus delegation has visited China, said spokeswoman Ayofemi Kirby.
"As China continues to experience exponential growth and expansion, it is critical for Members of the CBC to understand how these changes will affect the United States and particularly the communities we represent," Fudge said in a press statement that echoed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's call to double the number of students from historically black colleges and universities who study abroad in China.
"The CBC looks forward to continuing the conversations held with officials within the Chinese and Hong Kong governments and with American citizens living abroad to ensure we remain equipped to address the issues facing our nation in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world," she continued.
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