The Chicago area is home to 35+ mainland Chinese-owned companies including:
- Goldwind North American HQ
- Wanxiang North American HQ
- Huawei Technologies
- BYD
- Xinhua office
There are more than 150 Chicago-area companies with locations in Greater China.
There are nearly 7,000 business establishments owned by ethnic Chinese in the Chicago area.
China is the Chicago area's largest global trade partner:
2010 Imports to the Chicago Customs District
- Total: US$36.6 billion
Top Import Categories:
- Electric Machinery; Sound and TV Equip.
- Industrial Machinery, Including Computers
- Toys, Games & Sport Equip.
2010 Exports from the Chicago Customs District
- Total: US$3.99 billion
Top Export Categories:
- Industrial Machinery, Including Computers
- Optic, Photo, Medical or Surgical Instruments
- Electric Machinery; Sound and TV Equip.
Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago
U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce, U.S. HQ
Shanghai and Shenyang Sister City relationships
Chicago-China Friendship Initiative, established in 2011
Reciprocal mayoral visits between Chicago and Shanghai, 2004-2005 and 2008
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley attended the Beijing Olympics, 2008, and the Shanghai World Expo 2010
Chicago was an Official Sponsor of the USA Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo. World Business Chicago (WBC) hosted a VIP reception for more than 150 guests, highlighting Chicago’s presence in Shanghai. Mayor Daley co-chaired a CEO Roundtable for U.S. and Chinese business leaders with retired Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, Long Yongtu.
Chicago's only foreign business office, the Chicago-China Economic Development Center (CCEDC) is located in Shanghai.
Chicago Confucius Institute established in 2006, one of the first in the U.S.
The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system has more than 12,000 students learning Chinese – the largest public school program of its kind in the U.S.
6,800 mainland Chinese students attend Illinois universities (China is the #1 place of origin for foreign students in Illinois)
Shanghai is home to 643 alumni from DePaul, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Columbia College, University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology and Loyola. Mayor Daley welcomed many alumni (250+) to a reception in Shanghai during the Expo.
75,000 Chinese-Americans in the Chicago area
