On October 30th, Vice President Xie Yuan met with the delegation  of senators and officials headed by Senator Tommy Tucker from the State of North Carolina.   Vice President Xie Yuan said that the delegation’s visit is at the important juncture of China-U.S. relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently paid a historical state visit to the United States. During the visit, our two presidents reached a series of consensus, setting an important strategic direction for the bilateral relations. Xie said that the CPAFFC and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) of the United States have agreed to establish the Exchange Mechanism for China-U.S. Sub-National Legislature. The two sides are planning to co-host the First China-U.S. Province-State Legislature Exchange Forum in 2016. This program has been listed as one of the important achievements of President Xi Jinping’s visit. Xie hoped that the delegation’s visit will further promote Chinese local governments’ exchanges and cooperation with the State of North Carolina. Senator Tucker said that he is glad to lead a delegation of legislators, government and business representatives to visit China again. He hoped to attend the First China-U.S. Province-State Legislature Exchange Forum next year. Through this visit and future cooperation, the Tar Heel State is seeking opportunities to promote mutual investment and business cooperation in fields including clean energy, environmental protection, medical and health, biochemistry, new agriculture and advanced manufacturing. Mr. Yang Huadong, the delegation’s deputy leader and President of the Carolinas Chinese Chamber of Commerce (CCCC), said that the CCCC would coordinate with different institutions in the Carolinas to enhance mutual cooperation in various fields.

On October 19th, Vice President Xie Yuan met with the Council of State Government (CSG) delegation of the U.S., headed by Governor Brian Sandoval from the State of Nevada. Vice President Xie said that CSG delegation’s visit is at the important junction of China-U.S. relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently paid a state visit to the U.S. which is of historical importance. During the visit, our two presidents reached a series of consensus, setting an important strategic direction for the bilateral relations. He also attended the Third China-U.S. Governors Forum held in Seattle, WA hosted by CPAFFC, which showed the great emphasis paid to sub-national cooperation by President Xi. Besides, to commemorate the cooperation and friendship between China and U.S., who fight shoulder by shoulder for peace and justice during the Second World War, CPAFFC had held a photo exhibition featuring the cooperation between our two countries in Washington D.C this year. The tour exhibition will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada in November. Xie hoped that the delegates could find more cooperation opportunities in environmental protection, trade, tourism, education and other fields during the trip. As the head of the delegation, Governor Sandoval said that he was very honored to lead the “All Star CSG delegation” which includes many senators and representatives from different states. They wish to know more about China and seek more cooperation opportunities. Sandoval also expressed his warm welcome to the photo exhibition to be held in Las Vegas.

On October 15th, vice president Lin Yi met with Governor Kate Brown of the State of Oregon,U.S.. Vice President Lin Yi expressed warm welcome and best wishes, on behalf of the President Li Xiaolin, to the Governor and her delegation. She introduced that the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) has long been committed to promoting China-U.S. subnational exchanges and cooperation. This year, the Association held the Third China-U.S. Governors’ Forum and received many U.S. delegations including governors. President Xi’s state visit to U.S. has set an important strategic direction for the bilateral relations, in which there exists greater potentials for the cooperation between the two countries. Governor Brown said it was her great honor to attend the Governors’ Forum held in Seattle last month. President Xi’s remarks were encouraging and the Forum helped provide great opportunities for U.S.-China cooperation. The State of Oregon regards China as the most important international partner and has  willingness to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with China in education, science and technology, health, tourism and sports, etc. 

  On October 14, CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan met with Governor John Hickenlooper of the State of Colorado, the United States. Vice President Xie welcomed Governor Hickenlooper on his first visit to China. He said that Chinese President Xi Jinping just concluded a state visit to the U.S. in September, and Governor Hickenlooper came at an important junction of China-U.S. relations. China-U.S. sub-national cooperation is the foundation of the overall bilateral relationship. During President Xi’s visit, the CPAFFC successfully held the Third China-U.S. Governors Forum in Seattle. Six Chinese governors and five U.S. governors attended the Forum. There are 244 pairs of sister state/province and sister cities between China and the U.S. today. More than 10,000 people are travelling between the two countries every day. It is hoped that Governor Hickenlooper’s visit will further promote exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the fields of economy and trade, science, research and education. Governor Hickenlooper thanked the CPAFFC for hosting the Colorado delegation. He said that Colorado is now among the fastest growing economies in the U.S., and one of the best centers for innovation and start-ups. Colorado cannot make success without partnering on international stage. China’s achievement in the past 30 years is remarkable. There is no better partner for Colorado than China. He expressed the wish to visit China more frequently in the future with a plan to visit Kunming and Nanjing next year, to further promote mutually beneficial cooperation between Colorado and China.

On October 13rd, 2015, the 17th Exchange Conference of Friendly Cities among China, Japan and Korea was held in Yiwu city. The Conference was hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), co-hosted by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) and Governors Association of Korea (GAK). Nearly 400 people attended the conference. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Mr. Jing Yonghui, Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Zhejiang Province, Mr. Li Yifei, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Yiwu Municipal Committee, Mr. Sheng Qiuping, Mayor of Yiwu City, Mr. OKAMOTO TAMOTSU, President of CLAIR, Mr. PARK SUNG HWAN, President of GAK and other representatives of the local governments from China, Japan and Korea participated as guests. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC, Delivering a Speech at the Opening Ceremony Vice President Song Jingwu delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. In the speech, he said, China, Japan and Korea are close neighbors, which share symbiontic traditional culture and benefit from each other through the economic cooperation. The exchanges and cooperation among the three countries’ local governments are facing with the important opportunities and have extensive space to be further developed. Such exchanges and cooperation will certainly play an important role in promoting the three countries’ economic development, social progress and cultural prosperity. The three countries’ local governments should cohere the wisdom and strength to promote the exchanges and cooperation among the local governments in a deeper and wider way, jointly making efforts in realizing the long-term, healthy and stable development of the trilateral ties. Mr. OKAMOTO TAMOTSU, President of CLAIR, Delivering a Speech Mr. Jin Yonghui, Mr. li Yifei, Mr. OKAMOTO TAMOTSU and Mr. PARK SUNG HWAN spoke highly of the conference. They said, as an important exchange platform for the mutual learning and common development, the conference has a great effect in deepening the mutual understanding of the three countries’ local governments, enhancing people’s friendship and promoting the mutually beneficial cooperation. They hope to take this conference as an opportunity to further improve the level of the local exchanges and cooperation among the three countries and to promote the trilateral ties development continuously, so as to benefit for the three countries’ peoples.  Mr. PARK SUNG HWAN, President of GAK, Delivering a speech Under the theme of the sustainable exchanges among the cities and the urban internationalization development, Mayor Sheng Qiuping of Yiwu City, Vice Governor OSUGA YOSHIRO of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan and Vice Mayor JUNG GYUNG JIN of Busanpo, Korea made speeches respectively. Twelve representatives from the three countries’ local governments had an in-depth discussion on developing the local economy, strengthening the cultural exchanges, promoting the tourism and other common concerned subjects. They also shared the successful experience with each other on actively developing the international exchanges and reached the series of consensus on further developing the local exchanges of the three countries. This exchange conference achieves a full success. The Keynote Speech  The exchange conference was jointly organized by the CPAFFC, the CLAIR and GAK. It is held in each country by turns every year. With the theme of enhancing the friendship, the past conferences were held on the topics of how to develop the cooperation among the three countries’ local governments in the fields of the economy, trade, culture and youth. The previous conferences play an important role in promoting the mutual understanding, strengthening the friendly exchanges and expanding the pragmatic cooperation among the local governments of the three countries. The 18th Exchange Conference of Friendly Cities among China, Japan and Korea will be held in Okayama, Japan in the next year. The Site of the Conference

Vice President Xie Yuan met with a U.S. State Official Delegation, headed by Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, on October 12, 2015. The both sides had an in-depth discussion on ways to promote China-U.S. sub-national exchanges and cooperation. The delegation members include New York Assemblyman Michael Blake, State Representative Michael Butler of Missouri, State Representative Jenifer Loon of Minnesota and State Representative Lance Pruitt of Alaska. Vice President Xie expressed warm welcome to the delegation. He said sub-national relations are the cornerstone for the China-U.S. relationship. Entrusted by the Chinese government, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) is responsible for coordinating and managing the friendship-city relations between China and foreign countries, and has helped establish 244 pairs of friendship states and cities between China and U.S.. The visit by the delegation can help deepen sub-national cooperation between the two countries. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the world anti-Fascist war and the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression. The CPAFFC invited World War II veterans and their relatives, including Flying Tigers, to attend commemorative activities in China and held a photo exhibition in the U.S.. It is with the hope that Chinese and American peoples will never forget the history that our two countries fought shoulder by shoulder for the just cause in the World War II. Senator Duff thanked the CPAFFC for its invitation and hospitality to his delegation. He said the delegation members are from different U.S. states and represent the good will of their own state to cooperate with Chinese counterparts. By visiting cities like Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai and connecting with local governments and legislatures, they hope to lay a solid foundation for win-win cooperation in the future.

On October 12, Director General Zhang Heqiang of Department of American and Oceanian Affairs, met with Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen of the State of Washington of USA. Director General Zhang thanked Washington for making thoughtful arrangements for President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the USA back in September and generous support for the Third US-China Governors Forum. Director General Zhang expressed that CPAFFC would like to make further efforts in actively promoting China-US subnational exchanges and cooperation. Lt. Governor Owen said that the State of Washington appreciated the honor of receiving head of state from China for a few times, including President Xi Jinping. Washington and China have maintained close relations and he vows to further strengthen the bilateral ties in areas such as economy and trade, culture and education.

  At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Premier of Australia visited China from Sept.27 to 30. In the afternoon of Sept.28, Wan Gang，Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), met with Premier Palaszczuk in Beijing. Wan expressed that the Chinese government attached high importance to the strengthening of relations between China and Australia, the two sides enjoyed high level exchanges and received productive results in various fields. In June, the Free Trade Agreement has been signed between China and Australia, which became a new milestone to the mutual cooperation of economy and trade. We hoped the Queensland government would continue to play positive role in enhancing mutual exchanges in economy and trade, energy and mining, high technology and culture as well as between local governments. Palaszczuk said China was the largest trade partner to Queensland and Queensland would continue to support and expand the comprehensive cooperation with China in aspects of economic and trade investment, science and technology, culture, tourism,etc. Mr.Xie Yuan,Vice President of CPAFFC attended the meeting.

  On September 25th, Vice President Xie Yuan met with a delegation led by Mr. Francisco Olvera, Governor of Hidalgo of Mexico. Mr. Xie Yuan briefed on the major work of CPAFFC, especially the friendly cities work which is coordinated by our association. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of Friendly Provinces between Hidalgo and Henan. Mr. Xie hoped that this visit paid by Mr. Francisco Olvera could serve as an opportunity for deepening the cooperation and communication between Hidalgo and Chinese local governments. Governor Olvera thanked Mr. Xie for the meeting besides his busy schedule. He said, Mexico and China are important strategic partners. Both sides possess many similarity and complementarity. He hoped to enhance cooperation with CPAFFC, making more positive contribution to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries in the future.

On September 22, 2015, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC), and the California State Government co-hosted the Third China-U.S. Governors Forum at Seattle, Washington State of the United States, with the theme of “Clean Energy and Economic Development” . Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to the U.S., attended the Forum and delivered an important speech. The key participants to this Forum include Wang Dongming, party secretary of Sichuan Provincial CPC Committee, Wang Anshun, mayor of Beijing, Huang Qifan, mayor of Chongqing, Li Qiang, governor of Zhejiang Province, Guo Shuqing, governor of Shandong Province, Lou Qinjian, governor of Shaanxi Province, Li Xiaolin, president of the CPAFFC, as well as California State Governor Jerry Brown, Washington  State Governor Jay Inslee, Michigan State Governor Rick Snyder, Iowa State Governor Terry Branstad, and Oregon State Governor Kate Brown. The two sides held fruitful exchanges on the cooperation of economy and trade, climate change, energy and environmental protection between the two countries at the sub-national level. Wang Dongming said, China and US issued a joint announcement on climate change last year, upgrading energy and climate change to strategic level. Its implementation relies on the local government of the two countries. This forum has provided a great opportunity for the subnational cooperation on green and low-carbon industries. Sichuan is willing to work with the US on clean energy and low-carbon development, actively promoting the building of the major country relations between the two countries. Wang Anshun said, like other megapolises, Beijing is facing the severe challenges of population, resources and environment during its rapid development. In recent years, Beijing has made remarkable achievements in enhancing clean energy development while developing its economy. Seeing the 2022 Winter Olympics as a great opportunity, Beijing is making every effort to build a green and low-carbon city. Huang Qifan said, in recent years, Chongqing has been comprehensively promoting new industrialization, informationization, urbanization, agricultural modernization and greenization, striving for a green, recyclable and low-carbon development. Chongqing hopes to cooperate with US states in new-energy automobile development, shale gas economic and technological cooperation and environmental industry and technology, contributing to the protection of the homeland planet for mankind. Li Qiang said, China is now researching and making the thirteenth five-year plan, highlight the issue of clean energy and low-carbon development. In the next 5 years, Zhejiang will raise 5 billion US dollars on its research and development, hoping to expand economic and technological cooperation with the US in clean energy and low-carbon development. Guo Shuqing said, US states boast advanced technology and management experience in the development of new energy, the protection of biological environment and the development of low-carbon economy, while Shangdong is huge market for energy saving and environment protection industries, hoping the two sides exchange and cooperate through various channels, at various levels and in various forms. Lou Qinjian said, addressing climate change and promoting low-carbon development is the shared responsibility of the whole world. Shaanxi has initiated an active effort, hoping to strengthen technological and management cooperation in relative area with the US. Jerry Brown said, no pair of relations is as important as US-China relations. Joint efforts between the two countries can curb the deterioration of many global issues. Sub-national cooperation between the two countries can provide real opportunity for cooperation in trade&economics, education, scientific research, energy and environment. Both sides should work together to address climate change, realizing low-carbon development. California boasts new concepts and successful experiences in these areas and is willing to work with Chinese provinces towards this target. Rick Snyder said, trade, economic and cultural ties based on friendship and mutual trust are the core elements in ensuring the long-term stability of China-US relations. Michigan are among the top US states in creating jobs in new manufacturing. Agriculture is another key area for cooperation with China. He had made five trips to China in five years since he took office. He also planned to visit China every year, strengthening cooperation with China. He anticipated more events like this, hoping more US governors be part of it. Terry Branstad said he’s honored to have been at the forum for three years. This forum provided a good opportunity for both sides to share successful experiences in energy consumption and economic development, benefiting people of both countries. With its advantages in agriculture, renewable energy production and utilization, manufacturing and finance, Iowa is willing to strengthen ties with China to realize economic development and win-win cooperation. Kate Brown said, Oregon is among top US states in clean energy development. Developing clean energy can provide a green, healthy living environment for people, benefiting one generation after another. Environment protection and economic development do not contradict each other. The best and most simplified investment is energy efficiency. A low-carbon future will not only promote economic development, but also bring development opportunities for every nation. Oregon hopes to enhance cooperation with China.  During the Forum, the two sides held six one-on-one talks, and signed the U.S.-China Governors’ Accord on Clean Energy and Economic Development. This is a positive response of the sub-national level to the China-U.S. Joint Statement on Climate Change, which was issued by the two countries in November, 2014. The China-U.S. Governors Forum was established by the two state leaders in 2011. Since then, five forums or dialogues have been held in the two countries, with key participants of 26 party secretaries or governors from Chinese provinces (municipalities or autonomous regions), and 33 American governors. The Forum played an active role in promoting practical cooperation between the two countries, in broad areas such as economy and trade, energy, environment, science and technology, and others.