Despite the slow economy of China, trade between the country and the United States has been key to both economies. Both countries have learned each other’s business practices to apply to their own.

In a presentation last week during the Chinese Delegation, Jenny Sheng, chair of educational development in Shanghai, told Weber State University students and faculty that the U.S. and China are two great countries that can work together.

“We’re very thankful of the help from the U.S. to China during World War II,” Sheng said. “The people of China will always remember the help from the Americans after World War II.”

Sheng said, until today, Utah has been at the peak of the economy trade out of all the states in the U.S., ranking the highest. Sheng said she thinks this peak can never be reached by any other states.

The cooperation with Utah colleges and resources will be an economic change and a new peak between Utah and China. The Chinese government is cooperating with Shell Oil company on a new kind of oil field in the eastern part of Utah.

“It has great potential to develop and improve the cooperation of trades between China and Utah,” Sheng said.

Sheng said the culture exchange will be the most important first step to develop the trade exchange. Sheng has cooperated with WSU President Ann Millner since 1996, and Millner has helped with the culture exchange for many years.

According to www.business.utah.gov, Utah Governor Gary Herbert said that Utah’s export growth is the strongest in the nation, but he wants to double it in the next five years. Exports have increased from $1.8 billion to $4.3 billion to China out of Utah’s total exports of $18.9 billion in 2011.

Uschina.org said that China is Utah’s eighth-largest export market. The top exports to China in 2011 were computer and electronics, waste and scrap, chemicals, machinery, and processed foods.

“I think Utah, because of the cooperation, will improve the employment rate and create more job opportunities,” said Ruby Wu, a WSU student. “We have a very good cultural and education exchange.”

Wu works with Alan Hall, chair of the WSU Board of Trustees, and they plan on creating an entrepreneurship competition between Chinese students and WSU students. The university has been cooperating with Shanghai Normal University through education and business opportunities. Hall said they teach professors over at the university.

Sheng said she and her family hope the relationship between the U.S. and China will be a good one forever. She said Utah is her second home, and WSU is her second university. She also said she hopes to continue the program between SNU and WSU.

“In the last 20-30 years, China has received great help from the United States,” Sheng said. “It’s a great market for the Chinese products.”

Sheng said that hopefully the high-tech industry in Utah and the Shell Oil business will have a great market in China, along with other industries. She said she will try her best to let people know more about Utah.

“We’re looking for customers, and they’re looking for customers, and we want to get as many customers as we can,” Hall said.