Boston - Governor Maura Healey today welcomed Ambassador H.E. Chen Li, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, to the Massachusetts State House. 

“Today we welcomed Ambassador H.E. Chen Li to Massachusetts. We discussed our shared economic and cultural ties, and our commitment to continuing to work together for the benefit of our people and our economy,” said Governor Healey. “Massachusetts is home to a vibrant community of nearly 200,000 people of Chinese heritage, and they make valued contributions to our communities and our economy.”  

China is Massachusetts third largest trading partner, with over $7.2 billion worth of goods exchanged in 2024. In 2024, Massachusetts imported $3.4 billion in goods from China, including toys, games and sports equipment, apparel and accessories. Massachusetts exported $3.8 billion in goods to China in 2024, including industrial machinery, medical devices and plastics. Trade with China in areas like agriculture, education, travel, aerospace, and more supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs. Massachusetts is home to nearly 200,000 residents of Chinese descent.  

Governor Healey has made it a priority to meet with foreign officials when they visit Massachusetts. In March, she met with the Consul General of Japan Seiichiro Takahashi where they discussed opportunities to strengthen the economic, cultural and educational ties between Massachusetts and Japan. Governor Healey also hosted the Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt and the Premier of Prince Edward Island Rob Lantz to discuss Massachusetts and Canada’s strong economic partnership and the harmful impacts of President Trump’s tariffs. Additionally, she has met with Irish Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke to discuss cultural, social, trade and investment relationships between Massachusetts and Ireland. Governor Healey has also previously hosted the His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, President of Latvia Edgars Rink?vi?s, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Lilian Seenoi-Barr, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Niamh Kennedy, former President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernandez, United Kingdom Consul General to New England David Clay, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ahmed Dadou, and Singapore's Ambassador to the United States Lui Tuck Yew. Governor Healey has also visited Ireland, Italy and the Vatican to promote Massachusetts on a global stage.