By Tom McClimon
July 16, 2012

U.S. and Chinese mayors met in Nanjing, China, June 22-23 for the first United States Conference of Mayors sponsored U.S.-China Forum on Economic Cooperation and Investment. Mayors and city officials from 22 American cities were joined by 29 mayors from major Chinese cities in discussing areas of possible investment. They were joined by over 300 Chinese businesspersons, and Chinese and American national government officials.

Led by Conference of Mayors Vice President Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, the Conference of Mayors delegation included: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Des Moines Mayor T.M Franklin Cownie, Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, and Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. Mayors and/or city council members from Manhattan Beach, Arcadia, Beverly Hills, Glendale, Santa Monica, Palos Verdes Estates, Burbank, and Malibu also participated along with representatives from Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington (DC) San Antonio, Richmond (CA), Fort Worth, and Waynesboro.

During the meeting, 42 project agreements totaling over $3.4 billion in Chinese investment in the United States were signed. At the meeting, the mayors and city officials met with their Chinese counterparts to work on securing similar agreements that can be signed at a later date.

"Cities are the center of the world economy," stated Smith. "The relationship between the U.S. and China will continue to grow. We have much to learn from one another."

"As direct federal funds for cities in the U.S. continue to diminish, The U.S. Conference of Mayors continues to support the increase of the world market share of the exporting our goods and services, We are also increasing our organizational efforts to serve as a catalyst in securing foreign investments to our cities. Mayors are stepping up and are supported by key U.S. federal departments such as Commerce, Treasury, State and the Office of Trade Commissioner," said Cochran.

The two day meeting was divided into two parts: the first day was devoted to economic activity being generated in and around Nanjing and its neighboring cities in Jiangsu Province; and the second day was mainly a U.S.-China Mayors Policy Forum. Rawlings addressed the participants on Nanjing day as Dallas has a special economic relationship with Nanjing. "We are proud of our friendship. Cities in China and the U.S. must work together to foster ideals for better ways."

As part of the U.S.-China Cities Economic Forum, the Conference of Mayors and the China Association of Mayors sponsored a U.S.-China Mayors Policy Forum to examine policy issues which impact Chinese investment in the United States, such as infrastructure investment and financing, promoting service sector development, and the development of small and medium'sized businesses.

Opening remarks were made by Madam Tao Siliang, Executive Director of the China Association of Mayors, and Cochran, who stated that the "economic thrust of this meeting puts the relationship between our two organizations on a new plateau."

Smith and Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom helped to kick off the discussions on the first panel on infrastructure investment and financing. Smith talked about the need for mayors to get creative on financing for infrastructure, while Bloom talked about how Southern California has been most aggressive in transportation infrastructure, particularly bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

Cownie and Washington (DC) Deputy Mayor Victor Hoskins led the discussion on promoting service sector development. Cownie talked about the importance that the service sector plays in his city, making Des Moines one of the largest insurance capitals in the world. Mayor Hoskins stated how important service sectors jobs are to the nation's capital.

Rawlings and Marks kicked off the discussion on ways to assist small and medium sized businesses. Rawlings cautioned against allowing big businesses to control everything while Marks stressed the importance of making sure that the workforce meets the needs of these businesses.

Smith wrapped up the meeting by stating, "Meetings, such as this one, help U.S. and Chinese cities to cooperate and learn from one another."