Sister Cities International and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at the 2012 China International Friendship Cities Conference in Chengdu, China.
The MoU paves the way for both organizations to work closely to create new sister city and sister state/province relationships between U.S. and Chinese communities. The two organizations will also collaborate to support existing sister city relationships, identify and cooperate on new initiatives, and share expertise.
The MoU was signed by Thomas A. Lisk, Chairman, Sister Cities International, and Madam Li Xiaolin, President, CPAFFC. The U.S. Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs Reta Jo Lewis and Sister Cities International’s Vice Chairman Bill Boerum, Treasurer Norris Hermsmeyer, Board of Directors member Stephen “Tim” Quigley, and President & CEO Mary D. Kane were also present at the signing.
In her speech prior to the signing, Special Representative Lewis said, “I would like to offer my congratulations to Sister Cities International and CPAFFC on the MOU they will sign tomorrow formalizing an ongoing partnership to collaborate to create new sister city, sister county, and sister state/province relationships between U.S. and Chinese communities to promote peace, mutual understanding, and prosperity in their respective communities. This agreement will significantly benefit the U.S.-China bilateral relationship.”
U.S. and Chinese city twinnings are the fastest growing in the sister cities network. Mary D. Kane says, “Given the trend in our network, Sister Cities International is excited about the signing of the MoU. I have no doubt that this collaboration will aid partnerships that will spearhead growth and foster mutually beneficial relationships for communities in both our countries.”
In a statement, CPAFFC stated, “Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sister Cities International, sharing likeness in vision, desire to work closely together, share experiences, jointly promote the development of Chinese-U.S. friendship cities, and cooperate on exchanges.”
700 delegates representing 95 cities in 49 countries and 90 Chinese cities attended the 2012 China International Friendship Cities Conference. Topics of discussion included the globalization of cities, urban transition and development, investment in cities, emergency relief of cities, and aging populations in cities. CPAFFC holds the Conference every two years; the first was held in Beijing in 2008 and the second in Shanghai in 2010.