By Jennifer Eskra, USCM Intern
July 12, 2004

At the Plenary Session June 25, mayors heard from His Excellency Yang Jiechi, the People's Republic of China Ambassador to the United States, during the 72nd Annual United States Conference of Mayors Meeting in Boston. Yang spoke about the partnership between the United States and China, including the Conference's role in discussing issues of trade, the economy, and urban development with the China Association of Mayors.

In his remarks, Yang emphasized how the relationship between the U.S. and China has flourished and improved over the last two years. He attributed the growing U.S.'sino relationship to the common interests held between the two countries, particularly those of combating terrorism, trafficking of narcotics and illegal aliens, and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

But as anticipated, the economic growth of the United States and China was the Ambassador's central topic. He noted the growing dominance of both countries to the long-term economic growth of the global economy and said that U.S. exports to China have increased and thousands of U.S. companies have expanded production into China over the last several years. He told the mayors that the Chinese economy will move steadily forward, with a governmental goal of quadrupling Chinese GDP over the next two decades. The Ambassador attributed much of this positive growth to the interconnectedness and cooperation between the U.S. and China.

According to Yang, China needs to make urbanization a priority as 80% of its GDP comes from the industrial and service sectors, but only 40 percent of the population live in cities. To achieve this, he suggested that the U.S. and China further cooperate in a series of initiatives to share ideas and best practices. Communicating ideas relating to city planning, health care, education and trade are key. This contact is best accomplished through cultural exchanges like the current 120 sister city relationships already in place between the U.S. and China. Relationships like these also have fringe benefits for businesses as many representatives often visit with trade delegations. Yang also suggested that the U.S. and China must both make more of an effort to establish and strengthen these professional, educational and cultural relationships. One way he highlighted was an easier process for Chinese visitors to be issued U.S. visas.

Yang praised the ongoing efforts of the Conference for its involvement in China via the U.S.'sino Summits, and told the audience that he hopes to see another delegation soon. Conference President Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner echoed this idea and told the Ambassador that he is looking forward to continuing the connection between the Conference and the Chinese Association of Mayors, which began in 2000 when the United States Conference of Mayors sent its first official delegation to China to discuss issues regarding trade and the economy. The Suzhou Accords were signed in China during this time pledging to continue the relationship. Since this time, the unique relationship between these two nations as well as the Conference and the Chinese Association of Mayors has expanded. Yang has played a key part in deepening ties between the U.S. and China including hosting a U.S.'sino delegation in 2002.

Yang has served in various posts within the Chinese government over the past thirty years and assumed the role of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in 2001. Over the past three years, he has been in a central position to experience the connection between the United States and China. His remarks can be viewed online at the Conference website under the June 25 Plenary Session usmayors.org/interactive/.