On December 6, Xu Kunlin, vice-mayor of Shanghai, met with Sylvester Turner, mayor of Houston, US, and the delegation he led.

Xu Kunlin said Shanghai and Houston have had friendly ties for a long time and became sister cities in 2015. In keeping with the requirements by the central authorities, Shanghai is building in full steam China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and a science & technology innovation hub with a global reach. He welcomed Houston companies to be a part of all this and hoped the Houston mayor’s visit will further boost the friendly exchange and cooperation between the two cities. Also, the Shanghai vice-mayor extended an invitation to the Houston businesses to attend the first China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai in November, 2018.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said it is his first visit to China and Shanghai and he is deeply impressed by Shanghai. Shanghai is the engine of the Chinese economy while Houston the Texan economy, so he hoped to see the two cities complement each other for mutual benefits and deepen their cooperation in the medical, financial, trade, port and other areas. He would encourage Houston firms to attend the China International Import Expo in Shanghai next year and wished to see Shanghai enterprises go to invest in Houston. Also, he called for early opening of a direct air route between Houston and Shanghai, so as to further facilitate the flow of people between the two cities.