President Li Xiaolin met with representatives from US subnational organizations and discussed on strengthening China-US sub-national exchanges and cooperation in Washington D.C., United States on January 16, including Tiffany Shackelford, Chief Strategic Officer of National Governors Association (NGA), Roger-Mark De Souza, President and CEO of Sister Cities International (SCI), Carol Lopez, Chairwoman Elect of SCI, Tim Quigley, Former Chairman of SCI, Andy Karellas, Representative of Council of State Government in D.C.

President Li viewed China-US subnational exchanges as an important part in the bilateral relations, which played positive role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship as well as deepening practical cooperation between our two peoples. At the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides should jointly identify areas where we could expand existing cooperation or start new cooperation. CPAFFC would like to work closely with US organizations like NGA and SCI to co-host China-US Governors Forum and China-US Sister Cities Conference in 2019 so as to enrich the content of China-US subnational exchanges.

Leadership of US subnational organizations said that a number of new governors and elected officials took office after the mid-term election. Though US-China relationship is faced with difficulties at the moment, US states and cities are still enthusiastic and positive towards cooperation with China. The two sides should enhance mutual understanding in areas of history, culture and youth exchange. They expressed the good will to continue working with CPAFFC in driving forward trade and investment cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries.