China, US pick up pace on subnational exchanges

Oregon's China Council and the Tianjin chamber have been promoting bilateral relations for years, and the collaboration has proved fruitful. Oregon's exports to China have continued to grow since 2020, the start of the pandemic.

Last year, Oregon's $8.4 billion in exports was more than 16 percent higher than the 2019 level, according to the state's data. China has been Oregon's No 1 export destination for several years.

The Oregon delegation also held a forum in Fujian province on Nov 1 to discuss climate challenges and sustainable development. Crater Lake National Park and the Wuyishan National Park signed a cooperation agreement to further such exchanges.

At the same time, while Washington state welcomed a trade delegation from Sichuan province, a trade delegation from Houston, Texas, and six mayors from the heartland region made their first post-pandemic trip to China for a multicity visit to seek economic and trade cooperation, educational collaboration and people-to-people exchanges.

The flurry of subnational exchanges hasn't escaped the notice of many US experts. They have been quick to point out that such exchanges are playing a very important role at a time when the US federal government's relations with China are constrained by domestic politics.

Newsom's visit shows that progress is possible with Chinese provinces and city officials away from the scrutiny of official diplomacy, Joanna Lewis, a professor at Georgetown University who closely watches US and China climate engagement, told the Politico news site.

"Any dialogue that happens outside of Washington and Beijing by default just tends to be more open and frank," she said.