On June 1st, President Li Xiaolin met with Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland, United States. Yumi Hogan, first lady of Maryland, Secretary of State John Wobensmith of Maryland, and the delegation attended the meeting.
President Li introduced that since the establishment of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC) 61 years ago, the association has been working hard to promote people-people exchanges, including sister city/province relationship and cultural ties, for deeper understanding and cooperation between China and the rest of the world. Nowadays, China-U.S. sub-national cooperation becomes more and more frequent. The two countries have already established 243 pairs of sister provinces/states and cities. President Li also invited Governor Hogan to join the 3rd round of China-U.S.Governor’s Forum, to be held in California later this year, and the photo exhibition commemorating the cooperation history of China and the U.S. during World War II, in Washington, D.C., in June.

Governor Hogan extended his appreciation to President Li’s invitation and said he would be very much like to attend the above activities. He introduced that Maryland is the first American sate to set up a China office. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the sister province/state relationship between Maryland and Anhui and Secretary of State of Maryland would pay another visit to China soon for the commemorative activities. As the new Governor of Maryland, he is committed to strengthening Maryland’s relationship with China, enhancing mutual cooperation in the fields such as politics, economy and trade, education, and building a bridge of friendship between the two countries.