Nevada eyes Chinese tech cooperation to boost economic diversification

Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony said the western US state is keen to deepen cooperation with China as it seeks to diversify its economy by attracting Chinese technology companies.

"When people think of Nevada, they think of casinos, entertainment and shopping of Las Vegas and Reno," Anthony told China Daily during the Consumer Electronics Show on Jan 7. "But we're trying to change that here in Nevada. We want to be a state with a very diversified economy."

According to Anthony, Nevada has for years pursued economic diversification, moving beyond its traditional reliance on gaming and tourism to develop high-tech manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and data centers, with the aim of building a more resilient and sustainable economic structure.

"As a result, we are really getting noticed by companies from all over the world, including China, that are interested in coming to the United States and are looking at Nevada, because we're a very business-friendly state," he said.

Nevada's efforts have gained national recognition. A 2025 report published by Area Development in partnership with Chmura Economics & Analytics ranked Nevada among the top US states for business strengths.

Anthony said he was particularly impressed by the presence and performance of Chinese companies at CES.

Chinese technology firms made a strong showing at CES 2026, leading in areas such as robotics, intelligent automotive technologies, MiniLED and rollable OLED displays, artificial intelligence applications, smart home devices and clean energy solutions. Many Chinese companies received CES Innovation Awards, underscoring their strengths in AI integration, advanced manufacturing capabilities and user-oriented design.

Against the backdrop of an arid climate and long-term development goals, Nevada has also placed growing emphasis on water conservation and energy efficiency, actively promoting industries and technologies that support sustainable growth.

"We welcome innovative Chinese companies, particularly those engaged in renewable energy and water-efficient development to invest and explore opportunities in our state," Anthony said.

Historically, Nevada's development has been closely linked to Chinese immigrants, who played an important role in mining and railroad construction. Today, the state maintains strong trade ties with China, primarily as a major importer of Chinese-made products such as electronics, machinery and furniture, making it one of the US states most reliant on Chinese imports.

While Nevada also exports some mining-related products to China, trade data show that the relationship remains heavily weighted toward imports, with China serving as Nevada's largest source of imported goods. This import-driven dynamic is complemented by state-level cooperation efforts aimed at promoting tourism and investment, even as broader China-US trade frictions persist.

"We want to be a global state that collaborates with the world, including China," Anthony said, adding that Nevada remains open to Chinese companies that contribute positively to its economy despite trade tensions.

During the Global Top Brands Awards ceremony and summit co-hosted by Asia Digital Group and Europe Digital Group held alongside CES, Anthony presented certificates of recognition to Global Top Brands, including Huawei, TCL, Haier and Hisense, acknowledging their contributions to global innovation and industry excellence.

renali@chinadailyusa.com