The governor will follow up this year's trade mission to Japan and South Korea with a similar trip to China. State officials say a late spring or early summer journey is likely.

A 3M executive says the $50 million investment is part of a "five-year strategy for China to increase annual sales 15 to 20 percent." The Maplewood-based manufacturer plans to develop new technology and products for the China market -- 3M's biggest overseas market.

The Minnesota Trade Office and the economic development group Greater MSP are teaming up to open a Shanghai office. The groups say it will help Minnesota export more products to China, which is already the state's number two export market.

The National Education Association just lauded Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton an “America’s Greatest Education Governor" award, in part for increasing school funding and focusing on early learning. But critics say he represents teachers unions more than students.

Gov. Mark Dayton is in line to take over the leadership of the group a year from now, after he spends this year assisting the new chair, Iowa's Terry Branstad. The group focuses on agriculture, energy, and economic issues that affect the Midwest.

Western exporters, faced with anemic growth in Europe and North America, are banking on China's rapidly growing middle class. But Western companies have misjudged Chinese shoppers' priorities and clumsily tried to export U.S.-style stores. Best Buy is unlocking the mysteries of these consumers -- through trial and error, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The Golden Valley-based company plans to bring the number of ice cream shops in China to 255 over the next year. General Mills owns Häagen-Dazs globally, but the brand is licensed to Nestlé in the U.S. and Canada.