Illinois became the first state to open a trade office in China in 1974. Since then, China has been a critical trade and investment partner for Illinois. In 2019, China was Illinois’ 5th largest export market and #1 largest import market. Significant investments from Chinese investors and companies have arrived in Illinois over the years attracted by the state’s strengths in financial industry, agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. The education and cultural exchanges between China and Illinois are also significant to the state’s economy. The many excellent education institutions in Illinois have a long history of welcoming Chinese students and continue to be leaders in Chinese student enrollment today. A new point of pride for Chinese-Americans in Illinois is that it is the first state in the U.S. to mandate a unit of Asian American history in its public school curriculum in 2021.