Mead told those in attendance at the event’s opening ceremony that he was eager to capitalize on “attracting diversified economic opportunities that add value to diversified natural resources” for both countries.

He also met with Shaanxi provincial governor Zhao Zhengyong during the news conference to discuss advancing the relationship Wyoming had with the province, as they shared an economic reliance on natural resources as well as tourism and agriculture.

Both agreed a continued collaboration would be beneficial in the short and long term.

“China has a strong demand for coal-fired energy,” Mead said.

“It is currently a leader in applying the most advanced coal technologies available – as such, it is a prime testing location for new coal technologies.”

Mead is in Shaanxi this week with other Wyoming state officials including Gillette mayor Tom Murphy, US energy officials and energy industry executives and representatives and students from the University of Wyoming.

The conference, which ran through Tuesday in Xi’an, was part of an ongoing partnership between the University of Wyoming, Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and Chinese counterparts, for the purpose of progressing coal technologies.

Among the threads of discussion were coal chemical technologies and carbon dioxide use, management and storage.

Presentations were offered on the status and future development trends of energy and the chemical industry in Shaanxi and Wyoming as well as Queensland, Australia.

Two days of field trips are also planned by delegates this week to view advanced coal facilities in the Shaanxi province.