Schock back from China

A few weeks ago, we reported that Republican state Rep. Aaron Schock was on a state-sponsored trip to China. Well, he’s back, and glad to be home, but said the trip was worthwhile.

In the midst of his trip, we’re told the Democrats ran a poll asking voters if they’d be more or less likely to vote for Schock if they knew the Chinese government was paying for part of it. We weren’t able to get our hands on any results of that poll, but Schock said that while Chinese officials, as well as some companies and other hosting groups, did pay for meals and lodging, he paid for his travel out of his own pocket. Schock went with five other Illinois lawmakers on a trip comprised of four Democrats and two Republicans.

He was invited by Chicago Democrat Rep. Susana Mendoza, so it would be a bit of a tricky situation for the Democrats to make an issue of it. Schock said the trip’s purpose was to talk to Illinois and U.S. businesses in China, as well as Chinese businesses looking for opportunities in Illinois. China ranks third on Illinois’ export list, behind Canada and Mexico, he said.

Schock said he’s often heard people here grumble that U.S. jobs are being lost to China. He was surprised to learn on the trip that Chinese citizens felt just as threatened by U.S. innovations, as a piece of John Deere cotton picking equipment could, and has, replaced dozens of field hands. (M.P.)