Everett big in Chinese president’s travel plan

China’s president, Hu Jintao, will visit the Boeing Co.’s Everett factory and deliver a speech at the Future of Flight museum in Mukilteo during a visit to Washington state in April.

Hu will fly to Snohomish County’s Paine Field on the morning of April 18, then head to Redmond for a tour of the Microsoft campus, according to the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, which is organizing the visit.

After the tour, he’ll have dinner at Bill Gates’ home in Medina, along with about 100 other business, government and community leaders.

On April 19, Hu – along with Gov. Chris Gregoire and U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell – will get a tour of Boeing’s Everett factory with Boeing Commercial Airplanes division chief Alan Mulally.

Hu then will make what is being described as “a major policy address” during a lunch meeting at the Future of Flight before departing from Paine Field that afternoon. The lunch will be hosted by former Gov. Gary Locke.

Boeing is looking forward to welcoming Hu, spokesman Peter Conte said. “We’ll be deeply honored to have the opportunity to show him the world’s greatest manufacturing site.”

Future of Flight director Barry Smith said he could not comment on plans for the luncheon.

Hu’s visit is the first stop on a state visit to the U.S. The visit was originally scheduled for September but was canceled when President Bush postponed their planned meeting in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The visit underscores the importance of trade between China and the Northwest. China is Washington state’s third-largest trading partner, with more than $20 billion in two-way trade, according to the Trade Development Alliance.

Washington companies export paper and wood products, food, electronics, industrial machinery and medical and surgical equipment to China, according to state officials.

But the biggest benefactor of Chinese trade is Boeing.

The Chinese government and airlines based in Hong Kong have ordered 632 Boeing jets since the first order for 10 707s in 1972. In the past five years, Chinese airlines have ordered 265 jets, and a 60-jet order by the Chinese government in January 2005 remains the largest single deal for Boeing’s 787.

That order prompted Boeing to rename the plane, which it had been calling the 7E7. At the time, Boeing executives noted that “8” is considered a lucky number in China.

Reporter Bryan Corliss: 425-339-3454 or corliss@ heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.