Taipei, Oct. 21 (CNA) Having a diverse mix of cultures has helped the state of Washington understand "the Taiwanese way" better than any other state in the United States, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire said Saturday.
"We are fortunate to be a diverse state. And we have a large community of Taiwanese. All of that has helped us as a state because we understand the culture of Taiwanese. We understand how business is done here in Taiwan," Gregoire said on the last day of her visit here.
"Not all states can do that," she added.
Gregoire led a delegation of more than 70 executives to Taipei from Oct. 19- 21 to further trade, tourism, investment, education and cultural relations between Washington and Taiwan.
Taiwan and the northwestern U.S. state have been enjoying a wide range of exchanges for more than 35 years, as Taiwan is the state's third-largest agricultural export market while Washington's exports to Taiwan totaled US$3.1 billion in 2005.
But Gregoire wants to further cultivate bilateral ties, for example by stepping up student exchanges and fostering business partnerships.
"That can make people understand each other more," she said.
"I want [the State of Washington] to be seen as a very friendly state. It's a state with a very diverse culture and a high quality of products, from airplanes and apples to coffee," she said.