A worker works in a factory of China's CIMC Vehicles in Monon, Indiana

Chinese investment is accelerating economic growth of central and western regions of the United States, repolishing the nameplate of US manufacturing, said People’s Daily in an article published on Nov. 7.

Industry and manufacturing is what put central and western US states such as Michigan and Indiana on the map. However, the recession of the traditional manufacturing industry has given a new name to the region: Rust Belt.

However, after four years of depression, Michigan is expected to rise again and become a global center for intelligent transportation systems, and Chinese enterprises are playing a significant role in the state’s revival.

Statistics show that China is the third largest trading partner of Michigan. According to the US-China Business Council, cereals, automobiles, and vehicle parts sold to China from Michigan totaled $3.5 billion in 2016. And Chinese enterprises have invested over $4 billion in the state since 2010, creating more than 10,000 jobs.

Michigan has carried out in-depth cooperation with the Chinese government and Chinese industry, universities, and research institutes in the field of intelligent transportation systems, said Brian Connors, executive director of the Michigan-China Innovation Center.

In addition, Chinese enterprises are a major reason why Indiana’s economy is making a recovery. Chinese merchandise exports to the state grew 282% from 2006 to 2016, reaching $2.9 billion, and service exports increased 495% to $749 million.

In 2015 alone, more than 20,000 jobs related with the state’s exports to China have been created. China has become the state’s third largest exporter of merchandise and largest destination for the export of services in just a few years.

Hong Lei, China’s Consul General in Chicago, said that central and western US is an agriculture- and manufacture-dense region with a developed economy and rich resources. Federal states and enterprises in the region, placing high importance on economy and employment, have placed great importance on their relations with China.

In the last decade, Chinese enterprises invested a total of $15 billion in nine US states, creating 36,000 jobs. In return, many multinational enterprises in the regions have also expanded their investments and business dealings in China, gaining huge success and profits.