US farmers basking in growth of Chinese ties

NEW YORK - Back in January, when soybean farmers Jim Call and Mike O'Leary, both from Minnesota, met a Chinese delegation who accompanied President Hu Jintao's state visit, they knew it was a good sign for their businesses.

"It is all about relationship building. You get to meet your buyers and discuss with them different issues in person," said Call, also a member of the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council.

"For me, a soybean farmer, to meet those Chinese officials, it was, of course, a bit intimidating but the meeting was good," Call added during a recent interview with China Daily.