City leaders push past political conflicts

Li Zhijun from Xi’an bureau of commerce signs an MOU with Sally Poliak from the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.

A 70-member Chinese delegation, comprising business people, mayors and vice-mayors from large and medium-sized cities such as Shanghai, Chongqing and Xi'an, attempted to demonstrate their strong interest in strengthening cooperation with their U.S. counterparts at a meeting for the U.S.-China Initiative on City-Level Economic Cooperation.

"The lower the level, the less ideological it is," said Rogers Weed, director of the Department of Commerce of the state of Washington.

His words were echoed by Mark Funkhouser, mayor of Kansas City, Mo., who said: "We don't have that (kind of politics), this event is a positive thing."

At the April 19 meeting, Chinese mayors tried to impress their U.S. counterparts and potential investors by touting their strengths.

Ma Zhengqi, vice-mayor of Chongqing, a sister city of Seattle for the past 28 years, described the largest city in western China as an undeveloped region. But he painted a five-year blueprint in which Chongqing will make leaps in urbanization, internationalization and industrialization.

He talked about the city's fast improving transportation and infrastructural facilities and inexpensive land and utilities prices.

Yue Huafeng, vice-mayor of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, introduced his city, the site of the Terracotta Warriors, as a natural history museum on par with Athens, Rome and Cairo.

He believes the city's ancient wonder should not cloud people's understanding of modern Xi'an.

He described Xi'an as China's version of Seattle since both cities have a strong aviation industry and are leaders in education and technology.

On April 19, Xi'an's bureau of commerce and the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost bilateral exchange and cooperation.

On the same day, Wang Guozhong, vice-mayor of Wuxi, Jiangsu province, brought along Shi Zhengrong, founder of Suntech, while Xu Liquan, mayor of Weifang, Shandong province, made the city's international kite festival a top selling point.

A total of 41 U.S. cities sent their mayors and representatives to the conference.

"It's a great thing and a huge opportunity for cities in the United States to talk with cities in China for real economic benefit. This is not a zero sum game and this is good for both sides," Funkhouser said.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said it's important for his city to identify its advantages and build on its strength "so we can successfully trade with Chinese cities and regions which are building their strength in the global economy."

The state of Washington exported $9 billion in goods to China, making it one of the top U.S. exporters to the country.

McGinn said mayors in both the U.S. and China are facing tough challenges created by the global financial crisis.

Shanghai Vice-Mayor Tu Guangshao, who led the Chinese delegation, described the trip as a result of the second round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue, which was held in Beijing last May, as well as President Hu Jintao's visit to the U.S. in January.

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