2015年CRI China, US to Deepen Sub-National Economic Cooperation

Strengthening cooperation between China's provinces and U.S. states is part of the consensus 1 reached by the two countries during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. in September.

It is also one of the major issues for the China-US Joint 2 Commission on Commerce and Trade as a platform for the two countries to promote trade relations and address issues of mutual 3 concern.

Since 2013, cities and provinces in China have established six joint working groups involving California, Chicago, Texas and some other regions in the United States.

The groups have been working on building new platforms in various economic and trade areas to promote people-to-people exchanges and mutual investment.

Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago, says his city has benefited from this cooperation.

"Two years ago we signed an agreement, it is the only city in the United States that has engaged an agreement with the eight largest economic cities in China, we have seen that 100% increase in that investment and businesses established in the city of Chicago. And just this week, as I was preparing to leave, we agree to the sign and push through all the processes for Wanda's real estate investment in the city Chicago, the largest real estate investment by a Chinese company in anywhere in the United States along our river."

In August, Michigan also signed an agreement with five Chinese provinces and cities.

Brian Connors with the Michigan Economic Development Company says they want to seize the opportunity of China's industrial transformation 4 to bring cooperation to a higher level.

"Now these days it is widely recognized that China's economy is undergoing a transformation and elevation 5 of its industry structure and innovation will be the key to elevating Chinese industries. Michigan will be a strong partner with China in this work. The state of Michigan looks forward to cooperating with their Chinese regional partners to establish innovative 6 working mechanisms 7 designed to help us achieve the goals set out in the working group agreement."

In promoting sub-national cooperation between the two countries, the U.S. Department of Commerce has also made efforts, helping 8 delegations 9 from 32 American cities and states to travel to China.

U.S. commerce secretary Penny Pritzker:

"Our sub-national cooperation is a work that the department of commerce has been engaged in for a very long time. And I just hope, if you come away with one impression, you come away with the impression that we are committed to continuing to grow those relationships. And I believe this dialogue between our states and your provinces and between our cities is critical to growing trade relations."

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Chinese Ministry 10 of Commerce are expected to sign a memorandum 11 of understanding on regional cooperation and trade during this year's conference.