CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s long effort to build ties with China seems likely to pay off Thursday with a visit from that nation’s president.
The Windy City will be the only stop outside Washington for Chinese President Hu Jintao during his U.S visit. It will be the first time Jintao has been to Chicago.
Daley has been to China four times to promote Chicago as a welcoming place for Chinese business. He’s also been instrumental in developing a large Chinese language and culture institute in Chicago.
Experts say Jintao’s visit marks a big, profitable step in the relationship between Chicago and world’s second-largest economy.
Hu will meet with Daley and business leaders Thursday evening. On Friday, he’ll visit the language institute and a business expo in the suburbs.