Recently, the 4th U.S.-China Subnational Legislatures Cooperation Forum held in Shijiazhuang, capital city of North China’s Hebei province. Organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the US's State Legislative Leaders Foundation and Hebei province, the forum was held under the theme “Shared vision, shared responsibility”.

The forum was part of the effort to build a sub-national exchange mechanism between the two countries, a fruit of President Xi Jinping 2015 visit to the United States. The previous three forums were held respectively in Hawaii, Wuhan of Hubei Province and Las Vegas. The forum aims to form pragmatic cooperation between legislatures from both sides. It is also a golden opportunity to enhance understanding and trust between the two countries.

A total of 350 representatives from both countries attended the forum, including authorities of legislative bodies from 15 provinces in China and 10 states in the US, as well as enterprises' leaders from 100 companies. The two-day forum had different topics for attendees to discuss, including challenges and responsibilities, environmental preservation, enterprises' cooperation, transformation and upgrading, and the future of education.

Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, the Secretary-General of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) and Mr. Jiang Zhiming, Executive Director of the CBCGDF Green Future Special Fund, were invited to attend the forum.

In his speech, U.S. ambassador to China Terry Branstad expressed his hope that legislators from the two countries would discuss topics of common interest, establish close ties and enhance mutual understanding.

"What China is facing, what we're facing is that change is happening so fast," said Robert Hertzberg, senate majority leader from California. "So, the initial fear that Chinese are taking away jobs, not now it's translated to this future of work. What's going to happen? It's not Chinese people, or American people or French people. It's machines. And that to me is the greatest threat," he added.

"China and the U.S. have made full use of the cooperation forum as a platform to support and promote cooperation between provinces and states in the fields of economy, trade, tourism, ecological and environmental protection, and bring tangible benefits to both sides," said Fan Zhaobing, executive vice chairman of the Standing Committee of Hebei Provincial People's Congress.

The subnational cooperation between China and the US should be strengthened because it can enhance the friendship between the two countries' people and promote bilateral relations' development, authorities on both sides said.

(Photo credit: CBCGDF)

By / Maggie