Snyder To Talk Up Detroit On China Trade Mission

DETROIT (AP) — Gov. Rick Snyder said Monday that he plans on talking up Detroit and the city's restructuring while on a trade mission to China.

During a conference call, Snyder said the Chinese are "curious about Detroit."

"Detroit's coming back. We're emerging from the bankruptcy," Snyder added. "A lot of things are going on in terms of investment."

A federal judge this month approved Detroit's bankruptcy restructuring plan, which includes $7 billion in debt elimination and using $1.7 billion to improve city services.

Snyder will leave Michigan on Wednesday, and visit Shanghai, Beijing and three other cities before returning Nov. 26. It's his fourth trade mission to China, which is Michigan's third-largest export market.

Meetings will focus on bringing jobs and tourists to the state, exporting agriculture and industrial products and creating opportunities in China for Michigan firms.

Michigan has received more than $1 billion in new business investment from China, Japan and Korea since Snyder's first mission to Asia in 2011, the governor's office said. That includes a nearly $30 million investment by H.A. Automotive Systems in its North American headquarters in Troy, north of Detroit. The company makes automotive lighting components and is a subsidiary of China-based Changhui Group.

Officials from Macomb and Oakland counties, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Detroit Regional Chamber will join Snyder in China.

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