On July 9th, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) hosted online the 2020 Meeting for Members of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) from China’s Mainland and the Webinar of Global Cities’ Outstanding Innovation Cases. All the 29 UCLG members from China’s mainland participated in the meetings. Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC and Co-President of UCLG ASPAC, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Mr. Guan Litong, Deputy Director of Department of European & Asian Affairs of CPAFFC, chaired the meetings and gave a work report. Representatives from Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Fuzhou also spoke at the meeting.

　　Speech by Mr. Song Jingwu, Vice President of CPAFFC and Co-President of UCLG ASPAC

Vice President Song Jingwu fully affirmed the achievements since last year and put forward requirements for future work. First, all UCLG members from China’s mainland should adhere to multilateralism and support UCLG in strengthening solidarity in order to play an active role in the global fight against COVID-19. Relying on the platform of UCLG, the members should carry out in-depth international anti-epidemic cooperation. Second, all members should continue to enhance their voice in systems and institutions by means of participating in the promotion of reform and construction of the world governance system at the local level through contributing the Chinese wisdom. Third, the members should facilitate international cooperation and people-to-people communication under the “Belt and Road” Initiative. It is hoped that the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and the UCLG ASPAC Committee on the Belt and Road Local Cooperation will hold online conferences in the second half of the year as appropriate to play a positive role in maintaining economy growth, ensuring people's livelihood and strengthening cooperation in public health for members within the framework of the “Belt and Road” Initiative in the post COVID-19 era. Fourth, the members should tell the stories of China's epidemic response and convey China’s voice to the world with a view to demonstrating the undertaking of China as a responsible major country and enhancing the international community's recognition of China’s development.

　　Work Report by Mr. Wu Xiaojie, Deputy Secretary General of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee and Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Fuzhou Municipal People's Government

In the meeting, the Secretariat of 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee briefed its work since 2019 and its work plan for the future. Since 2019, the Committee has strengthened its planning and actively hosted multiple events to promote practical exchanges and cooperation. To enhance its influence, the Committee actively took part in the activities of UCLG. To expand its coverage, the Committee is committed to attracting members from a broad scope. To further the service function of its secretariat, the Committee has been working on the construction of its WeChat account and official website. For the future work, under the guidance of CPAFFC, the Committee will organize events such as the committee meeting and the Online Workshop on Marine Ecological Conservation and Disaster Risk Reduction. With all these efforts, the 21st-Century Maritime Cooperation Committee will play an positive role in various affairs and activities of UCLG, and continue to expand its influence and coverage.