Reynolds, who succeeded Terry Branstad as governor when he became the US ambassador to China on May 22, noted that agricultural "is the backbone of Iowa's economy and contributes about $112 billion to our economy annually""Relationships are especially important in China, and we are 88bifafortunate that Governor Branstad welcomed a then local agricultural official from China over 30 years ago into Iowa named Xi Jinping, who is now the nation's president," said ReynoldsLast year, nearly $6 billion worth of US pork was exported to China, including more than $1 billion from Iowa"We will have representatives from our corn, soybean, beef, egg, poultry, dairy and turkey sectors seeking an opportunity to expand their footprint in China as the country's middle class grows," Reynolds said of the 10-day trip, which began on WednesdayHis wish came true on June 3088bifa in Beijing when Branstad had prime rib from Nebraska to celebrate the return of US beef to China after 13 yearsIt detailed how one particular photograph in the series depicted the daughter of the famous Chinese statesman, Zeng Guofan