This is Quinn's first trip to China.
Quinn has already signed a $100 million deal to export soybeans from Illinois to China. He told ABC7 by telephone Wednesday morning it is important to make these deals "in person."
"You've gotta do it face-to-face, that's a Chinese tradition. Their president came to only one state back in January; he came to Illinois. He told me then, he sees Illinois as a gateway to the Midwest. They want to receive more exports from our state so we've got to make those connections if we're gonna create jobs," Quinn said.
Quinn has also signed a $200 million deal for a Chinese company to build wind farms in western Illinois.
The governor and his delegation paid their own way to China and for lodging.
