Secretary Peng Qinghua of CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee: The China-U.S. Governors Forum serves as a platform where sub-national leaders exchange ideas and sub-national cooperation are carried out. With its theme Win-win Cooperation and Shared Development, the forum echoes with the voice of the era and meets the expectations of all sides. We would like to take the forum as an opportunity to perfect cooperation mechanism, expand friendly exchanges and deepen practical cooperation with U.S. states in trade and investment, education and scientific innovation, green and low-carbon development, and people-to-people exchanges, creating a win-win, mutual-learning and mutually beneficial relationship.
Governor Yin Li of Sichuan Province: Green development is the trend of our time and common goal of both countries. This forum has put green development on its agenda as an act to conform to the global trend of low-carbon development and of responsibility to jointly promote green and sustainable development. There exists a solid foundation and great potential in ecological construction, green industry and clean energy. Sichuan will, as always, work with people from all sectors of society of the U.S. to push forward green development through opening-up and win-win cooperation.
Governor Wang Wentao of Heilongjiang Province: As the world enters an era of economic globalization, bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation has become a realistic choice for different countries in the world. As the geographically closest Chinese province to U.S. mainland, Heilongjiang wishes to play a more important role in the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. Heilongjiang also expects to strengthen its cooperation with U.S. states in agriculture, tourism, high-tech industry, modern manufacturing and service industry.
Executive Vice Governor Chen Xiangqun of Hunan Province: Green development serves as an important foundation for the construction of a community of shared future. It also points to the correct direction for the development of world economy. Hunan hopes increase exchanges and communication with its American counterparts, share its green development mechanism, work with the U.S. states in the development of green industry, clean energy and tourism industry. We might make green development an opportunity to enhance our mutually beneficial relationship.
Vice Governor Xia Yanjun of Hebei Province: Trade and investment is the common concern of all countries and regions of the world. It is also a crucial ingredient for economic development. Hebei province attaches great importance to trade and investment cooperation with the U.S. The One Belt One Road initiative, the Co-ordinated Development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, the planning and construction of Xiong’an New Area, and the preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics are seen as great opportunities for Hebei. It also provide a huge market and great potential for the province’s cooperation with the U.S, which we wish to push forward in areas such as trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
Governor Bill Walker of Alaska: Alaska appreciates its relationship with Chinese provinces and hopes to work with its Chinese counterparts in a myriad of areas based on this relationship. Alaska is rich in natural gas, which China is in great need of. Our joint efforts in this regard have been supported by Presidents of both countries. We are working to start a direct flight from Alaska to China, which will bring Chinese commodities and tourists to Alaska. We also hope to export more goods to China.
Governor Jerry Brown of California: It is crucially important to convene American and Chinese governors, discussing topics such as trade and economics and clean energy, enhancing mutual understanding and practical cooperation. As is known to all, global economy is facing great challenge, but that challenge cannot be compared with the challenge of climate change. I encourage all parties to take more measures to counter climate change, including carbon trade, green construction, energy conservation devices, renewable energy, and zero emission vehicles. This work is of great importance to not only Chinese and American sub-national governments, but to other countries as well.
Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York: More than ever before, New York State is committed to exploring opportunities for cultural exchange and to encouraging foreign partnership and investment. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our important cultural relationship with the Chinese community-both here in New York and abroad-and to achieving our shared goals together in the months ahead.
Governor Jay Inslee of Washington: As is known to all, the U.S.-China Governors Forum provides a unique opportunity to raise both peoples’ awareness and morale to stand up together to difficult challenges. As such, I encourage each participants carry on with your efforts, making new achievements in key areas such as climate change and economic development.
Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez of New Mexico: The similarities between the U.S. and China outweigh their differences. More than ever, both countries need to build more trust with each other. As the third largest energy producer in the U.S., New Mexico is actively developing renewable energy, diversifying our economy and creating more jobs. We would like to work with China, along with 49 other states of the U.S., striding forward in the face of our common challenges.
Photographed by Department of American and Oceanian Affairs
