Midwest-China Hub Commission

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Midwest-China Hub Commission

What it is
The Midwest-China Hub Commission (MCHC) is a public-private partnership based in St. Louis, Missouri, created to boost trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between Missouri’s Midwest region and China. It aims to develop business links and a possible cargo hub to connect the two economies.

Origins and purpose
- In March 2008, Missouri officials signed memorandums of understanding with China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) and the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) to explore freight opportunities and a freight hub.
- The Midwest-China Hub Commission was officially formed on January 21, 2009.
- The main purpose is to open dialogue and build an economic hub that increases business and cultural exchanges between Missouri and China. The Commission also completed studies on current trade with China and freight forwarding opportunities.

Who is involved
The Commission brings together both public and private partners, including:
- City of St. Louis and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
- Civic Progress
- Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Missouri Department of Economic Development (MODED)
- Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)
- Missouri Partnership
- Organization of Chinese Americans, St. Louis Chapter
- St. Charles County and Partners for Progress
- St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC)
- St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA)
- World Trade Center – Saint Louis
- Other regional groups and supporters

Key activities and aims
- Develop eight industry-specific China Business Councils to gather feedback from local businesses, broaden regional knowledge, and identify new opportunities for trade and backhaul.
- Promote foreign investment and cooperation, including plans related to EB-5 visas to attract international investors.
- Explore creation of a regional EB-5 center (GMIC) to attract investment for local projects; GMIC was designated as a non-profit EB-5 Regional Center in 2010, but USCIS approval was not in place at that time.
- Establish and maintain connections with Chinese agencies and businesses through offices and events, such as visits, trade talks, and freight-forwarding discussions.
- Promote Lambert Airport and related freight infrastructure as a potential cargo hub for the Midwest.

EB-5 visa plans
- As part of attracting foreign investment, the Commission planned to establish an EB-5 regional center in the St. Louis area.
- The Gateway to the Midwest Investment Center (GMIC) became a non-profit EB-5 Regional Center in 2010, but at the time was not yet approved by USCIS.

Timeline highlights (selected)
- February–March 2008: Chinese ambassador and Missouri leaders meet; MOUs are signed for aviation and commerce talks.
- 2008: Visits by Chinese officials (Li Zhaoxing, Wang Qishan) to St. Louis region to expand trade and agricultural ties.
- January 2009: MCHC is officially formed; an Economic Development Administration grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce supports the effort.
- February–March 2009: Expansion of foreign trade zones around Lambert Airport; Commission travels to Beijing to establish offices.
- May 2009: China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) visit to discuss investment and trade opportunities.
- November 2009: Missouri provides a $1.1 million grant to develop air freight for the initiative.
- December 2009: The Commission is hosted at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
- January 2010: Freight-forwarding event held at Lambert-St. Louis Airport to discuss backhaul opportunities.
- February 2010: Chinese officials visit Missouri to reaffirm commitment to the MCHC.
- May–June 2010: RCGA hosts delegation; Midwest-Chinese ties expand with Shanghai meetings.
- August–October 2010: Delegation to Beijing and Shanghai; aviation officials sign agreements outlining steps toward a cargo hub at Lambert Airport.
- Late 2010: Chinese aviation officials continue engagement; discussions emphasize the potential cargo hub and increased Midwest-China air connections.

Overview
The Midwest-China Hub Commission is a long-running effort to strengthen trade and economic ties between St. Louis/Missouri and China. It has pursued studies, partnerships, and events aimed at creating a freight hub and attracting investment, while fostering greater people-to-people and business exchange across the region.