You may know that the U.S. and China normalized their relations in January 1979. Did you know why China's paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping, visited Seattle one month later?

You may know that the U.S. and China have been trading partners. Did you know why, in 1979, the first Chinese cargo ship in 30 years docked in Seattle?

You may know of Washington's first woman governor Dixy Lee Ray. Did you know that the most powerful man in China blew smoke in her face to make a point about human rights?

You may read about U.S.-China relations or China-watching sometimes. Did you know any real people who dealt with China and their stories?

In Connecting Washington and China, Wendy Liu reveals the state's special relationship with China through the story of this unique council on China-its birth, growth, ups and downs-especially its leaders, who have written one state's remarkable chapter in the chronicles of U.S.-China relations.