China-US Photo: VCG

Leaders of some US states, Chinese provincial officials and business representatives from China and the US held in-depth discussions on advancing cooperation at a seminar in China on Saturday, the latest sign that the world's two largest economies are seeking more engagement.

According to a statement on the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the talks were focused on promoting cooperation across the local levels, encompassing China-US products trade, technological exchange, and investment cooperation in green sectors. 

The gathering, the China-US Provincial and State Economic and Trade Cooperation Seminar, was held in Xiamen city, East China's Fujian Province during the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT). 

The China-US Provincial and State Economic and Trade Cooperation Seminar is held on September 9, 2023, in Xiamen city, East China's Fujian Province during the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT). Photo: Tao Mingyang/GT

More than 200 participants joined the seminar, including representatives from provinces and Chinese cities including Fujian, North China's Tianjin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang, East China's Jiangsu and Shandong, South China's Hunan and Guangdong, and Southwest China's Chongqing and Sichuan. 

On the US side were business leaders and government officials from the states of California, South Carolina, Maryland and Illinois.

"The seminar marks a significant step in advancing economic and trade cooperation between Chinese provinces and US states," Assistant Commerce Minister Chen Chunjiang said at the event.

Chen pointed out that the essence of China-US economic and trade ties should be to seek mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, as the provinces and states have deeply intertwined common interests. In recent years, economic and trade cooperation between China and the US has faced some headwinds, primarily due to the US policy of "de-coupling."

Chen expressed hopes that the US would work together with China to steer economic and trade relations back on the right track.

Lin Wenbin, vice governor of Fujian Province, said that provincial and state cooperation serves as a vital tool for practical cooperation between China and the US. He noted that Fujian Province has a long history of collaboration with the US, and is eager to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with American states and cities.

US officials have also expressed interest in advancing cooperation with their Chinese counterparts.

"The meeting has been highly productive. The ongoing collaboration between New York State and China is of great importance to us. We warmly welcome Chinese enterprises and government representatives to visit New York State," Sapphire Tang, China representative from the China office of Empire State Development, told the Global Times at the sidelines of the seminar on Saturday.

Tang noted the relationship between China and the US, particularly at the provincial and state levels, has been a top priority for New York State Department of Economic Development. "We consistently see interest from American and New York-based companies in expanding their market presence in China."

Given the current global landscape, direct cooperation is vital. The theme of this meeting is centered on low-carbon environmental protection, a topic of global relevance. As the two leading economic powerhouses, China and the US will play a significant role in this field.

"During our participation in this Investment and Trade Fair, we engaged in discussions with several green battery manufacturers, laying the groundwork for future endeavors," Tang said.

The seminar came after US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo wrapped up her 4-day visit to China on August 31. The visit yielded results including the establishment of a new communication channel to seek solutions to specific business issues and more support for enterprises of the two countries in carrying out pragmatic cooperation. 

The mechanism of cooperation between Chinese provinces and American states was established many years ago. Before the trade conflict in 2018, such local-level cooperation was one of the highlights of the bilateral ties. In recent years cooperation has encountered challenges, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The seminar is a "good and fresh start", Zhou said, noting that the mechanism can strengthen cooperation at the local level for the world's two largest economies, while offering a very important platform for the two to build up understanding and consensus, create opportunities for cooperation, and reduce hostility.

Zhou noted that cooperation in the field of new energy has always been an important part of cooperation between the two countries, but the possibility will also be subject to some conditions, such as the China-US relationship, the US' restrictive measures against China and the degree of market opening in the US.

Global Times