With the aim of strengthening China-U.S. sub-national exchanges and cooperation, the Accord on the Establishment of China-U.S. Sub-national Legislature Exchange Mechanism was signed by Vice President Xie Yuan of CPAFFC, President Stephen Lakis of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) and Al Carlson, Chair of SLLF on December 5th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.. The newly established mechanism was on the list of achievements of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the U.S. in September. Its purpose was to construct a platform for sub-national legislatures from both countries to discuss issues of common concern, enhance friendship and mutual trust, and strengthen practical cooperation. Representatives from Chinese Foreign Ministry, Embassy in DC, and Consulate General in Houston, as well as 24 legislative leaders from 21 U.S. states witnessed the signing ceremony.
In his remarks, Vice President Xie said, the mechanism was established to promote practical cooperation between the two sides in areas such as legislation, economic development, energy, environmental protection, tourism, education and culture, improving the livelihood and welfare of local people. He also hoped U.S. state legislative leaders actively participate in various activities under the mechanism, especially the First China-U.S. Sub-national Legislature Cooperation Forum to be held next year.
Counselor Xu Min from the Chinese Embassy expressed her appreciation to the contribution SLLF has made in recent years to sub-national exchanges between the two countries. She said the mechanism would help fill one of the important gaps in China-U.S. exchanges. Through this mechanism, both sides could increase mutual understanding, learn from each other and better serve their own people.
Deputy Consul General Zhao Yumin from the Chinese Consulate General in Houston said, sub-national legislative leaders of both countries had been playing an important role in local political spectrum. The establishment of the mechanism would facilitate face-to-face interaction and practical cooperation, promoting common development and common prosperity of U.S. states and Chinese provinces.
SLLF President Stephen Lakis said, U.S. and China were faced with common challenges in public policy, under which circumstances, sub-national government should learn from each other, promoting cultural, trade and economic exchanges. He also sincerely hoped that through this platform, sub-national legislatures from both countries could deepen their friendship and mutual trust, increasing opportunities of cooperation in education, environmental protection, infrastructure construction and legislation.
Both sides have agreed to co-sponsor the First China-U.S. Sub-national Legislature Cooperation Forum in 2016. 2016 is the China-U.S. Year of Tourism. The theme of the forum will be tourism cooperation, providing a platform for China-U.S. sub-national exchanges and cooperation in tourism-related areas.
