On Sept. 26th, Vice President Xie Yuan of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC) met with Alaska Governor Bill Walker from U.S..

Vice President Xie said that sub-national exchange and cooperation has become one of the major driving forces of China-U.S. relations. The two countries have set up 48 pairs of sister provinces/states and 215 pairs of sister cities relationship, as well as  exchange mechanisms such as China-U.S. Governors Forum, China-U.S. Subnational Legislative Cooperation Forum, China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference, etc. He hoped that Alaska will continue to tap into the potential in energy and agricultural cooperation, and promote China-U.S. friendly ties.

Governor Walker said he was honored to host Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madam Peng Liyuan for their trip to Alaska this April. He expressed his gratitude to the CPAFFC for arranging his mission this time, and first lady’s trip to China in June. He would be further committed to developing mutually-beneficial cooperation between Alaska and China in the future.