THE OFFICE OF IOWA GOVERNOR From left: Kevin Reynolds and his wife, Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, President Xi Jinping, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and his wife, Chris Branstad, gather in February 2012. [CHINA DAILY]

According to the governor, Iowa has withstood challenges, too, with the price of corn falling below the cost of production, coupled with an outbreak of avian flu.

"So I just want to renew our friendship, indicate our continued interest in building on the long-standing relationship, friendship and trust, and continue to improve the relations between our countries, and also to increase trade," he said.

Branstad has led several trade missions to China over the years. Although he could not make it to China this year, he said he hopes to visit next year.

Besides agricultural products, the governor also wants to promote his state in China as a major insurance center, with Principal Financial Group, whose headquarters are in Des Moines, trying to make further inroads into the Chinese market. Other Iowa companies such as John Deere and DuPont Pioneer are already doing "phenomenal business" in China, he said.

He said he also hopes to take genetically modified strains of corn to China, arguing that, based on experiences in the US, the varieties are safe and could help increase production. However, the Chinese remain cautious about GM products, while the central government has strict approval procedures.

Branstad added that, as Iowa's governor, he wants "to do everything I can to create jobs in Iowa, and to increase exports and to build friendships around the world. We have done that very effectively with China."

He said he understands there are differences that need to be worked out by the two countries, "but, nevertheless, I have an old friend whom I trust and respect, and I want to build on that long-standing relationship of friendship and trust."

There are going to be ups and downs in the China-U.S. relationship, the governor said, but he urged people to "take the long view, and recognize the importance of building personal relationships, which can break down a lot of barriers of mistrust and misunderstanding that sometimes occur between our countries."

Branstad recalled his first trip to China in 1984, when bicycles were the primary mode of transportation. "We rode on the old steam locomotive from Beijing to Shijiazhuang. Now you have bullet trains and different kinds of cars," he said.

Skyscrapers have also largely replaced the six-story buildings that Branstad saw in the 1980s. "When I went back in 2011 and 2013, I saw dramatic changes," he added. "You can be very proud of all the things that have happened in China."