Top official from China’s Fujian province in Hawaii for goodwill visit

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A top official from a southeastern province in China is working to strengthen ties with Hawaii.

The Vice Governor of Fujian province -- Guo Ningning -- met with local officials and the Chinese community this weekend.

Fujian and Hawaii mark nearly a year since their sister state relationship began.

“Associations like Hawaii Fujian Business Association and Hawaii Fujian Friendship Association have played an important role in exchanging friendship, safe guarding the interests of overseas Chinese and facilitating exchanges and cooperation between Fujian and Hawaii,” Guo Ningning said.

City Councilmember Calvin Say and State representative Sean Quinlan joined dozens of business leaders for a welcome reception hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at Jade Dynasty at Ala Moana Center.

They said cultural and business exchanges like these help diffuse tensions between the U-S and China on the international stage -- from military rivalry to a potential ban on Chinese-owned TikTok in the U.S.

“I really hope that over the next decade, we can continue to improve cooperation between not just our states, but between our nations because I want to say that it is the responsibility. I feel that it is the responsibility of everybody in this room today to continue to improve relations between the United States and China. This is beyond critical,” said state Rep. Sean Quinlan during the reception.

Community leaders estimate there are about 5,000 people of Fujian descent in Hawaii but their numbers are growing, with many working in construction, real estate and the restaurant industry.

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