My Visit to China

November 12th, 2025

This month, I had the opportunity to travel to China as part of a Mayor’s Delegation with the U.S. Heartland China Association (at no expense to the taxpayers) and I just wanted to share with you some moments from our great exchange.

Proud to talk about our community at the U.S. Heartland China Association’s partnership exhibit.

The Heartland China Association is a bipartisan, nonprofit group founded by our own former Senator Adlai Stevenson III, along with former Missouri Governor Bob Holden, and Professor John Rogers, to build bridges and create opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and economic growth between us and China.

Our delegation, which was led by Mayor Norton of Rochester, Minnesota (home of the Mayo Clinic), visited several cities, universities, and international businesses interested in expanding to the U.S. and Illinois. I was thrilled to meet University of Illinois alumni across China who spoke warmly about their time in Champaign and their experiences at the U of I. Our city’s global reputation is strong!

I met a new friend on the plane who had just received his MBA from the University of Illinois.

One of the highlights was participating in the Yangtze River Dialogue, where we discussed sustainability, economic growth, and climate resilience. There were many comparisons of the Yangtze River region and the Mississippi River here at home.

We also had the chance to experience the rich history and innovation of China. We visited the Terracotta Soldiers, rode in a driverless car, and saw incredible advancements in healthcare and technology. The cities we visited were large, clean, and full of energy for the future.

Before and during the trip, we worked closely with the U.S. State Department and the FBI to ensure all precautions and briefings were in place.

I returned deeply grateful, though a little jet lagged, for this chance to represent our community on a global stage, and I was reminded once again that the work we do here connects to a much bigger world.

All the best,

Deb Feinen

Mayor, City of Champaign