The gap between Houston and China just got a tad bit smaller when Houston’s mayor, Annise Parker, announced the U.S. China Partnership and Houston will be at the helm.
Houston has one of the largest international community and business networks. Mayor Parker expressed her excitement for the partnership between the two countries.

“It’s designed to not just do business with China but to facilitate business with China,” said Mayor Parker.

The U.S. China Partnership is a 501 c organization which will be used as a platform to bridge a chain between Houston and China.

This nonprofit organization which began as a conversation that my administration began to have with leaders in the broader business community and we already have robust relationship so we were looking to see how we could expand this relationship,” said Parker.

Attorney Charles Foster, former president George H.W. Bush, Congressman Ted Poe and former Houston Rocket basketball player, Yao Ming along with Mayor Parker will serve as honorary board members
“I have a letter from Former President George Bush in which he agrees to be the honorary chairman of U.S. China Partnerships and to serve as again in the advisory capacity,” said Mayor Parker. “He has tremendous contacts there that can serve the City of Houston.”

Some of the business ventures Houston will pursue with China are oil and gas and manufacturing. The U.S. and China have had a diplomatic relationship for 35 years.

“As the relationship between the United States and China grows rapidly, so does the impact on bilateral businesses, as well as cultural, educational and international communities. The nonprofit organization will generate discussions on the best way to position and promote Houston in China, recognizing that the country will remain one of the single most important markets globally,” said the Mayor’s Office.

Mayor Parker invited anyone interested in the partnership to the Julia Ideson Library on Wednesday night.