Michigan to boost economic ties with Shenzhen

Michigan Governor Rick Snyderto. [Photo/China Daily]

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. [Photo/China Daily]

Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, highlighted the state's future as the world's center for innovative transportation and mobility research. Shenzhen is one of his stops during his sixth annual official visit to China from Nov 11 to 19.

"Michigan is where big ideas in mobility are born," Snyder said, standing next to his state's booth at the fair. "We are proud of our state's legacy as an automotive industry leader, and we are excited to pave the way for the future of connected and autonomous vehicles, transportation and mobility technology."

Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit, invited the fair's attendees to witness what is happening in his city, which is home to the third fastest growing tech sector in the United States.

"Our strong financials and constant stream of young, creative talent, in addition to the growth prospects of new markets and the emerging transportation services sector, all ensure that Motor City is the place where one can see the future of how we will get from here to there," said Duggan.

During the fair, Snyder and Duggan spoke about both their state and city's prowess in the field of technology, specifically regarding the recently launched Planet M campaign that seeks to elevate Michigan as both the hub of mobility innovations and the reinvention of the transportation industry.

On Wednesday evening, the governor and mayor met with Shenzhen Communist Party Secretary Ma Xingrui and Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin, where both delegations signed a memorandum of understanding on an economic partnership between the cities of Detroit and Shenzhen.

Both sides agreed to set up the Michigan-Shenzhen Trade, Investment & Innovation Cooperation Center in Michigan to enhance cooperation.

Meanwhile, Frontt Capital Management Ltd, a Shenzhen-based investment firm, will invest $27 million to build a joint research center for intelligent vehicles with the University of Michigan.

The investment provides engineering services and consulting fees for university researchers to advise Frontt on the design of a unique autonomous vehicle testing facility in Shenzhen. The facility will simulate China's unique transportation environment.

First held in 1999, the China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen is the largest and most influential scientific and technological fair in China, often referred to as the "No 1 Technology Show in China".