Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong received an American delegation from Nebraska led by state governor Pete Ricketts last week.

Yang said China and the United States are big partners in trade and economic cooperation. Shanghai is the city where the two governments issued a joint communiqué in 1972 for normalization of relations. The city has witnessed tremendous growth in bilateral trade and is playing a key role in trade development.

He said that many American companies are operating in Shanghai and more and more Shanghai enterprises are investing in the US. Shanghai is continuing its efforts in reform and opening and has taken measures to facilitate investment and trade in the pilot free trade zone. It hopes to create a better environment for foreign investors.

The mayor noted that Shanghai is the sister city of San Francisco, Chicago and Houston. He said Shanghai is keen to develop ties with other American cities and states such as Nebraska. He believed the governor’s visit will promote cooperation between the two sides in trade, health care, agriculture and finance.

Ricketts introduced Nebraska’s economic and social development and said China is the most important trade partner for his state. Bilateral trade has increased rapidly in recent years.

He said Nebraska and Shanghai should cooperate in areas of economy, trade, agriculture and education.

Hanscom Smith, the US consul general in Shanghai, joined the meeting.

Source: Shanghai FTZ Government.cn