On March 11, 2009, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi, at request, met with the delegation of the strategic economic development committee of central and western US and China. Both sides exchanged opinions on the China-US relations and the trade and economic cooperation between Missouri State, the US and China.

Initiated by related government agencies and the private sector of St. Louis, Missouri State in January 2009, the committee aims at promoting trade and economic exchanges and cooperation of the Missouri State and the central and western regions of the US with China.