By Kay Scrimger and Geri Powell
June 4, 2007

The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the China Association of Mayors (CAM) held the Fifth Chinese-U.S. Mayors Summit in Chicago on May 24. Conference Past President Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, host city mayor, led the U.S. delegation.

Joining Daley were Conference of Mayors Past President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic, Stamford (CT) Mayor Dannel P. Malloy, Palatine (IL) Mayor Rita Mullins, Meridian (MS) Mayor John Robert Smith and Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran.

The Summit marks the continuing relationship between the Conference of Mayors and the China Association of Mayors, which brings Chinese and U.S. mayors together through periodic meetings and on-going exchanges of information about mutual challenges, such as the environment, economic development, education and transportation.

Cochran pointed out that throughout their relationship of almost a decade, both organizations have continued to renew their commitment to cooperation with each other. “We work with many organizations, and this relationship is one of our most highly valued,” he said.

The 22-member Chinese delegation was composed of mayors, city officials, China Association of Mayor officials, and business leaders. Senior members were Delegation Leader, Beijing Vice Mayor Sun Anmin; Deputy Head of the Delegation and CAM Vice President, Urumqi City Mayor Naiyimu Yasen; Deputy Secretary General Wang Changyuan, China Association of Mayors; Executive Vice Mayor Liu Peizhi, Chengdu City; Vice Mayor (Ms.) Zhu Yunxia, Chuzhou City; Vice Mayor Wu Zhiming, Zhangzhou City; Bao Jianfeng, Assistant Secretary, China Association of Mayors; Secretary General, Mayors Association of Heilongjiang Province Zhu Guangyin; (Ms.) Yuan Yuan (Ms), Staff of Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipality; Wei Yi, Secretary General, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Autonomous Region; and Anniwaer Wushouer, Director of FAO of Urumqi City, Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

Cochran opened the Summit by introducing Daley as one of the “nation’s top urban executives. He is a leader, innovator and person of vision. We appreciate his hosting this Summit in his great city.”

Daley pointed out Chicago’s many ties with China and its people through Sister City relationships with Shenyang and with Shanghai, where Chicago has recently opened a trade office.

“The Chinese language program in the Chicago public schools is the largest in the United States with 3,500 students,” Daley said. “The residents of our cities want many of the same things: better schools, safe streets, a healthful environment, and a good transportation system, to name just a few. That’s why these conferences are so useful.”

Wang responded that, “This meeting will strengthen cooperation between our two organizations in such areas as business, management and education.”

Sun noted that since 1999, three memoranda of understanding have been signed by the two organizations. “We are the two most important organizations in areas of public health, energy and the environment. The mayors of both sides can share information in areas of energy, the environment, and economic development. This meeting is a great opportunity to share economic resources and cooperation,” he said.

Daley described major aspects of Chicago’s environmental strategy. “My goal,” he said, “is to make Chicago the nation’s foremost example of how a densely population city can live in harmony with the environment.”

The mayor also commended efforts of the Conference of Mayors, which has provided “expertise on how to successfully transform brownfields into areas where we have been able to establish new industrial facilities, affordable housing, and other important undertakings, such as the Center for Green Technology.”

“When we use less energy, the city saves money,” Daley emphasized.

Cochran stated that Daley recently joined with Conference President Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer at the C-40 Large Cities Climate Summit in New York City, where 500 U.S. mayors signed a climate protection agreement similar to the Kyoto Accord, thus strengthening what mayors throughout the world are doing for climate protection.

Each U.S. and Chinese mayor made a presentation addressing one or more of the basic conference themes, followed by vigorous questions and answers.

Liu discussed efforts of Chengdu City to recycle and manage its solid waste and medical waste. His city is a model in China in several areas, including the environment. It is also the fastest growing city in China.

Plusquellic asked Liu about what percentage of his time is devoted too tourism and building business relationships. Liu said about 25 percent.

Malloy discussed how public safety responsibilities of the American mayor have changed since 9-11. “We spend more time than ever in this area,” he said.

Smith pointed out economic development challenges in his city while preserving and sometimes discovering the architectural design integrity of old buildings.

All mayors at the Summit agreed with Mullins’ statement that, “City challenges have no borders.”

The Chinese and U.S. mayors signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Millennium Park, calling for future meetings to discuss issues of common concern.

The two organizations agreed to continue to share information about best practices and model programs through a variety of means, including face-to-face meetings in summits, electronic exchanges of information, and others.

They also pledged their intent to continue to develop their friendship and cooperative relationships with the goal of strengthening the contribution of their cities to the betterment of urban areas and their citizens in their own nations and through the world.

The four signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding were Cochran, Daley, Wang, and Naiyimu.

At the press conference following the signing, Liu pointed out the great spirit and energy in the discussions and presentations.

Daley said at the news conference, “I have been to China twice, and it is very clear to me that even though we speak different languages and have different systems of government, we have many things in common and face many of the same challenges.”