Chinese delegation visits Iowa

It’s by chance a delegation of Chinese officials is in central Iowa on a trade mission today, just two days after the U-S Senate voted to cement better trade with China. The 13 Chinese scientists and politicians plan to sign what is called a “memorandum of understanding” with Governor Vilsack and officials from Iowa State University.I-S-U physics professor Bing-Lin Young is a native of China who is hosting some of the delegates. He says members of the Chinese group hope to solidify ties with Iowa leaders in business, agriculture, science and technology. The Chinese delegation toured I-S-U on Wednesday.One project where I-S-U plans to work with the Chinese would see ag waste like peanut shells and corn husks converted to natural gas for use in the homes of farm families. Professor Young says the delegation is from the Henan province.The province is slightly larger than Iowa but it is home to 93-million people, compared to two-point-eight million in Iowa. The group meets today with the Mayor of Des Moines and former Iowa Governor Bob Ray. Young says this trip has been in the planning stages for months.