China has elected its previous Vice President, Xi Jinping as their new president. Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds reflected on visits with the president, and offered their congratulations.

Branstad noted that when President Xi first visited Iowa in 1985 to learn about farming, he stayed with Muscatine families. President Xi returned to Iowa last year per his request for a reunion with friends from his previous visit.

Read more on Xi Jinping’s visits to Iowa.

“We think he will be someone who is very good to work with,” said Branstad. “It is an opportunity for us to build better relationships between the United States of America and China.”

Branstad said that Iowa is fortunate to have a strong, friendly bond to China’s new leader