On May 15, 2015, the Forum of Leaders of the Regions of China and India was co-hosted by CPAFFC and CIFCA at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. About 180 representatives from 2 municipalities directly under the Central Government, 4 provinces and 4 cities of China and 2 states and 4 cities of India attended the Forum.

Under the theme of “Smart City, Smart Living”, participants had in-depth discussions on sustainable urbanization and the role of states and provinces in fostering closer developmental partnership between India and China. During the forum, CPAFFC and the Ministry of External Affairs of India signed the MoU on Establishment of the State/Provincial Leaders’ Forum. Sichuan and Karnataka, Chongqing and Chennai, Qingdao and Hyderabad, Dunhuang and Aurangabad signed the third batch of Sino-Indian friendship provinces/states & cities agreements.

CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin said in her welcoming speech that with Chinese and Indian friendship-city relation developing steadily, the holding of the forum is at the perfect time to upgrade the exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Indian localities to a new level. CPAFFC is committed to strengthening communications and contacts with Indian states and cities and providing more opportunities for Chinese and Indian local governments to share resources and achieve common development.

Chief Minister Patel of Gujarat pointed out that the holding of the forum is of significant importance and provides a great opportunity for exchanges and cooperation at the local level. Indian states pay high attention to the development of friendly relation with their Chinese counterparts, and are willing to strengthen contacts and promote practical cooperation with Chinese local governments.

Mr. Wang Anshun, Mayor of Beijing, Mr, Huang Qifan, Mayor of Chongqing, Mr, Guo Shuqing, Governor of Shandong, Mr. Zhu Xiaodan, Governor of Guangdong, Mr. Wang Ning, Executive Vice Governor of Sichuan, Mr. Xia Hongmin, Vice Governor of Gansu, Mr. Zhang Xinqi, Mayor of Qingdao, Mr. Liu Shoucheng, Vice Mayor of Chengdu, Ms. Yang Bi, Vice Mayor of Kunming, Mr. Jia Taibin, Mayor of Dunhuang and Ms. Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ms. Meenakshiben Patel, Mayor of Ahmedabad, Mr. Duraisamy, Mayor of Chennai, Mr. Gopal, Municipal Administrator of Hyderabad, Mr. Dharam Pal, Acting Chairman of New Delhi attended the forum and delivered speeches.