"Washington Is Not Where The Action Is," Says One Chinese Official

ANN April 1st Special Edition: A senior diplomat said Friday that the Chinese Government is scouting locations for an embassy in Wichita, a rumor that city government there will not confirm or deny.

"After their success with the Skycatcher, it makes sense that they would try to secure additional business in the U.S. aviation market," said aviation analyst Brian Foley. "It would seem that Wichita would be a target-rich environment to try to pick off some new manufacturing business."

While no one would confirm that an embassy will be built in city, several Chinese officials have visited in recent months looking at various vacant buildings and other pieces of real estate. A contingent was seen touring one large parcel on the outskirts of the city taking notes and sketching. A passer-by who happened to know some Chinese told The Wichita Eagle that he overheard one say "Washington is not where the action is. If we're going to be players in aviation, we need to be here."

Skycatcher Reassembly

Wichita's GA community is keeping any Chinese plans close to the vest, and the local government is also not confirming the Chinese plans. A spokesman for Governor Sam Brownback said the Governor is open to having the Chinese in Wichita, but that it could present some national security issues. "We'd have to be very careful about what they might export to their home country under the guise of diplomatic immunity," the aide, who was not authorized to speak to the media said.

FMI: www.chineseinwichita.com