?The mayor of Washington DC, Anthony Williams, said on
Tuesday that his city wants to improve economic and trade
cooperation with Beijing. He was in Beijing at the invitation of
the municipal government meeting with He
Luli, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's
National People's Congress.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of
ties between the Chinese and US capitals and Williams was returning
a visit by his counterpart Wang Qishan last May, when a five-year
memorandum of understanding was signed, promising to build on
exchanges between them.
He Luli said that cooperation between Beijing and Washington DC
has produced fruitful results over the past years. She hoped to
consolidate their friendship and promote
China-US relations.
In an interview at his hotel Williams said Washington has much
to learn from the way Beijing markets itself as a tourist
destination. "It's almost the brashness. You're overwhelmed by the
vitality of the place," reported the Washington Post.
On Sunday, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng also welcomed a delegation
led by his Chicago equivalent Richard Daley at Jinjiang Small
Hall.
The two sides agreed to increase cooperation in several areas
including air quality, water, garbage and emergency response.
"Since Chicago became a sister city of Shanghai in 1985, the two
sides have maintained a good relationship, and I expect your visit
can increase cooperation and exchanges," said Han.
He spoke about his city's economic construction and social
development over the past years, indicating that Chicago's
experience in urban planning and environmental protection is
something from which Shanghai could learn.
"Shanghai and Chicago have established a close relationship with
each other in various aspects of our social lives, and more
cooperation is expected in the near future," Daley said.
He wants to see increased Chinese investment and inaugurated the
first "Chicago-Shanghai Dialogue" a conference attended by
businessmen and government leaders of the two cities in China's
financial center Monday.
Daley also signed an agreement with Vice Education Minister Wu
Qidi to establish a "Confucius Institute" in Chicago to promote
Chinese language instruction.
(China.org.cn, eastday.com, Xinhua News Agency October 20,
2004)