Chicago mayor Richard Daley, left, introduces his wife Maggie, right, to China’s President Hu Jintao before a meeting of business leaders Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Reporting Craig Dellimore
CHICAGO (CBS) — Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Chicago Thursday night for a two-day visit that business leaders hope will stimulate Midwestern trade with the Asian super power.
LISTEN: Mayor Daley Welcomes President Hu Jintao To Chicago
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It’s the only stop outside Washington for Hu during his U.S visit.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has been to China four times already to promote his city as a welcoming place for Chinese business. He’s also been instrumental in developing a large Chinese language and culture institute in Chicago.
LISTEN: Chinese President Hu Jintao Speaks Before Dinner
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Experts say Hu’s visit marks a big, profitable step in the relationship between Chicago and world’s second-largest economy.
“The Midwest is the center of manufacturing in the U.S.,” Keith Williams, president of the Northbrook-based Underwriters Laboratory, told CBS 2’s Vince Gerasole. “They want to be more integrated with us in a manufacturing economy, they want to help us with exports, and they are thinking about making investments in the U.S.”
Hu met with Daley and business leaders Thursday evening and was the guest of honor at a formal dinner at the Hilton. On Friday, he’ll visit the language institute and a business expo in the suburbs.
LISTEN: Chicago Children’s Choir Performs With Violinists, Lei Hou & Ling Hou
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Contributing: Associated Press
