Chinese President's Visit A Coup For Chicago
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The president of China is coming to Chicago next week - a visit that is seen as significant for a few reasons.
The Chinese consulate in Chicago confirms that Chinese President Hu Jintao will come here Jan. 20.
The director of the University of Chicago's Beijing Center, Professor Dali Yang, says this visit is a big deal.
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"This is significant because President Hu Jintao is making only one stop outside of Washington, and that is Chicago," Yang said.
Why Chicago? Yang says for one reason, it's President Obama's hometown.
And Yang says China sees the Midwest as a good area for Chinese companies to establish new ties or strengthen existing ones.
"I understand that the Chinese president is bringing a very substantial entourage of about 400 with him, including many of the leading executives of Chinese corporations."
Yang says most of the major Chicago-based companies already have offices in China - and they want to enhance their relationship.
