CAPE, CITY SISTER IN CHINA HOPE TO BE ECONOMIC PARTNERS

Cape Girardeau and its sister city in China want to be more than pen pals. They want to be economic partners.

Business and government leaders from Shaoxing, China, and Cape Girardeau have been exploring the possibility of joint business ventures.

Such ventures could include establishment of a plant in Cape Girardeau that would manufacture soybean products, such as those used in Chinese restaurants.

An eight-member delegation from Shaoxing wrapped up a two-day visit to Cape Girardeau with a press conference late Thursday afternoon at the airport.

Speaking through an interpreter, the delegation's leader, Shen Zhen Yuan, said the goal of the trip was to promote economic development and friendship between the two cities.

Yuan is secretary-general or city manager of Shaoxing, a city of about 4 million people.

During its visit, the delegation got a glimpse at about 25 manufacturing plants in Cape Girardeau County and held talks with several local businesses.

The delegation had talks with Rapco, which manufactures audio cables; Magnetic Collectables, which makes refrigerator magnets; Golden Cat Corp., which makes kitty litter, R&M Enterprises, a wholesale home furnishings firm; and Penzel Construction Co.

"These companies showed great interest in cooperative ventures," Yuan said.

Yuan said he and other members of the Chinese delegation were impressed with Cape Girardeau. "The city is very clean and looks very healthy."

In terms of possible joint ventures, Shaoxing can provide low-cost labor and raw materials such as silk for home furnishings.

"It's just the beginning," Yuan said.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III talked of a growing partnership between the two cities. "We are looking forward to the continued exchange of friendship and economic development as time goes by."

This was the second Chinese delegation from Shaoxing to visit Cape Girardeau this year. The first delegation visited Cape Girardeau in late May shortly after a Cape delegation made a trip to Shaoxing.

A third Chinese delegation, consisting of Shaoxing city officials, is expected to visit Cape Girardeau later this month.