BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The first Sino-U.S. provincial/state legislative leaders forum was concluded here on Thursday.
The forum covered discussions on addressing the financial crisis, environmental protection and Sino-U.S. cooperation in related areas. About 200 representatives from the business and legislative circles of the two countries attended the forum and exchanged views on those topics.
 In addressing the opening ceremony on Wednesday, Xu Jialu, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said the exchanges of the Chinese and U.S. legislatures have become increasingly important in the bilateral comprehensive cooperation.

These exchanges are conducive to sharing legislative experience and promoting understanding between the Chinese and American people, Xu said, adding that the forum would push the legislative communication and cooperation of the two countries into a new phase.

Zheng Zeguang, director-general of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that regional legislatures are playing an important role in the political area of both China and the United States.

 According to Zheng, there have been 35 pairs of friendly province-states and 149 pairs of sister cities between the two countries.
 He hoped that Chinese and the U.S. legislatures could make more contribution to the development of Sino-U.S. relations.

The forum, held from Wednesday to Thursday, was co-organized by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, the U.S. State Legislative Leaders Foundation, General Office of the Standing Committee of China's NPC and China Association for International Friendly Contact.

（http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/13/content_12445320.htm）