Deputy Mayor Duan Jiyang led Shenyang Friendship and Trade Delegation to US from March 18 to March 24. The visit, which facilitated comprehensive and in-depth exchange and cooperation in various sectors between Shenyang and the US, was efficient and productive.

The delegation implemented the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, proactively promoted mutual understanding and introduced the development of Shenyang in achieving Chinese modernization. During the visit, the delegation met with John Roberson, Representative of the Mayor and Chief Operating Officer of Chicago, discussing how to deepen sister-city relationship, increase economic and trade cooperation and facilitate people-to-people exchange. The delegation introduced that Shenyang enjoys profound cultural heritages, advantageous geographical location, solid industrial foundation, rich innovation resources and plays an active role in international exchange and cooperation. It is hoped that the two sister cities, supported by both senior management, could enhance mutual understanding, give full play to the US Chicago and China Gateway Cities Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment Cooperation and Shenyang-Chicago cross-border e-commerce freight flights to boost economic and trade cooperation and hold exchange activities in areas such as culture, sports and tourism to enhance mutual understanding and to ensure that Shenyang-Chicago friendship will be passed on from generation to generation. The delegation also visited the Chinese Consulate-General in New York and the Chinese Consulate-General in Los Angeles for advice on how to promote  multi-sectoral exchange and cooperation between Shenyang and states in the Consulate districts.

The delegation paid site visits to Wabtec Corporation, Lapmaster International Ltd, Bimbo Group and other enterprises in Spartanburg, Chicago and Los Angeles and held talks on major cooperation projects. They attended the Liaoning Province and American Enterprises Business Seminar, on which Deputy Mayor Duan made the Hello Shenyang Global Promotion Campaign, introducing Shenyang’s achievements in revitalization and development as well as its international business environment, promoting exchange and cooperation with major American enterprises in sectors such as cross-border trade, advanced manufacturing and financial technology and attracting American enterprises to start business in Shenyang. The delegation also held a meeting with overseas Chinese in Los Angeles to gain support, pool wisdom, gather resources and attract investment from overseas Chinese.

The face-to-face meetings with representatives of the sister city, overseas Chinese and American business circles, which will help promote sub-national exchange and social and economic development, were appreciated by Chicago government, major American companies and Chinese consulates-general and were believed to help enhance mutual understanding, renew friendship and promote win-win cooperation. Shenyang will continue to implement the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping that the hope of the China-US relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth and its vitality comes from exchanges at subnational levels, strengthen cooperation and build friendship ties at subnational levels and contribute to the sound and sustained growth of China-US relations.