跨洋結(jié)友誼 互利促共贏

涵蓋了包括北美洲、南美洲在內(nèi)的整個(gè)西半球和整個(gè)南太平洋地區(qū)，共有51個(gè)國(guó)家，其中有世界上唯一的超級(jí)大國(guó)美國(guó)，也有世界上最不發(fā)達(dá)國(guó)家海地、瓦努阿圖、圖瓦盧，這就是美洲大洋洲地區(qū)（以下簡(jiǎn)稱(chēng)“美大地區(qū)”）。遠(yuǎn)隔重洋，與其國(guó)別特點(diǎn)和地理因素呈現(xiàn)出的巨大差異相類(lèi)似，美大地區(qū)的友城工作既有蓬勃發(fā)展的光鮮一面，也有挑戰(zhàn)與機(jī)遇相互依存的困難一面。

2011 年7 月，首屆中美省州長(zhǎng)論壇在美國(guó)鹽湖城召開(kāi)。

“對(duì)我來(lái)說(shuō)，你們就是美國(guó)”

時(shí)任國(guó)家副主席習(xí)近平于2012年初訪(fǎng)問(wèn)了美國(guó)艾奧瓦州馬斯卡廷市，習(xí)主席在與27年前他訪(fǎng)美時(shí)接待過(guò)他的美國(guó)老朋友們一起團(tuán)聚交談時(shí)，不無(wú)感慨地說(shuō)：“闊別27年，這次再回到馬斯卡廷，當(dāng)年的印象又再度浮現(xiàn)，見(jiàn)到你們我感到非常親切。這里給我留下如此深刻的印象，你們都難以體會(huì)，因?yàn)槟銈兪俏乙?jiàn)到的第一批美國(guó)人，我對(duì)美國(guó)的第一印象來(lái)自你們，對(duì)我來(lái)說(shuō)，你們就是美國(guó)?！?/p>

1985年當(dāng)時(shí)在河北省正定縣工作的習(xí)近平，率考察團(tuán)來(lái)到艾奧瓦州訪(fǎng)問(wèn)，1992年艾奧瓦州的老朋友應(yīng)習(xí)主席的邀請(qǐng)?jiān)L華，到后來(lái)艾奧瓦州州長(zhǎng)布蘭斯塔德，這位美國(guó)有史以來(lái)做州長(zhǎng)時(shí)間最長(zhǎng)的州長(zhǎng)發(fā)誓，一定要把艾奧瓦州變成對(duì)中國(guó)最友好的州，所有這些佳話(huà)和故事都起源于1983年河北省與艾奧瓦州結(jié)為友好省州。

包括友城交往在內(nèi)的中美地方交往始終是中美關(guān)系穩(wěn)步推進(jìn)的重要?jiǎng)恿χ弧?979年中美兩國(guó)建交以來(lái)，自湖北省與俄亥俄州、江蘇省南京市與密蘇里州圣路易斯市結(jié)為第一對(duì)友好省州和友好城市，中美兩國(guó)目前已締結(jié)46對(duì)友好省州和212對(duì)友好城市。37年來(lái)，伴隨著我國(guó)進(jìn)一步改革開(kāi)放和中美關(guān)系的不斷向前發(fā)展，雙方在經(jīng)貿(mào)合作、文化教育、技術(shù)交流和人員培訓(xùn)等各領(lǐng)域取長(zhǎng)補(bǔ)短、相互學(xué)習(xí)，給兩國(guó)人民帶來(lái)了實(shí)實(shí)在在的利益。

近年來(lái)，中美共同實(shí)施了多項(xiàng)重要地方交流機(jī)制，兩國(guó)友城交往逐漸呈現(xiàn)制度化與規(guī)范化趨勢(shì)。例如，由中國(guó)人民對(duì)外友好協(xié)會(huì)（以下簡(jiǎn)稱(chēng)“全國(guó)友協(xié)”）負(fù)責(zé)舉辦的中美省州長(zhǎng)論壇自2011年啟動(dòng)以來(lái)，已成功組織三屆論壇和兩次對(duì)話(huà)活動(dòng)，習(xí)近平主席2015年訪(fǎng)美時(shí)親自出席第三屆論壇并發(fā)表重要講話(huà)。據(jù)不完全統(tǒng)計(jì)，共有美方33位州長(zhǎng)或總督、中方26位?。ㄗ灾螀^(qū)、直轄市）主要領(lǐng)導(dǎo)出席，就經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展、環(huán)境保護(hù)等議題展開(kāi)交流，取得了一系列合作成果，有力推動(dòng)了兩國(guó)地方務(wù)實(shí)合作；中美友城大會(huì)已于2014年和2015年連續(xù)在美舉辦，第三屆中美友城大會(huì)將于今年11月18—19日在江西南昌舉行，該機(jī)制已成為兩國(guó)地方分享友城交流經(jīng)驗(yàn)、探討合作機(jī)遇的重要平臺(tái)。

此外，全國(guó)友協(xié)每年還通過(guò)接待大量美國(guó)州長(zhǎng)、副州長(zhǎng)、市長(zhǎng)、州議會(huì)領(lǐng)袖、州議員等重要地方政府官員訪(fǎng)華，助力中美友城交往，推動(dòng)雙方友好省州和城市在經(jīng)貿(mào)、科技、教育等各領(lǐng)域加強(qiáng)務(wù)實(shí)合作。

兩個(gè)地方政府交流機(jī)制3天內(nèi)建成

2014年11月19日和21日，習(xí)近平主席在對(duì)澳大利亞和新西蘭進(jìn)行國(guó)事訪(fǎng)問(wèn)期間，分別在悉尼和奧克蘭出席了首屆“中澳省州負(fù)責(zé)人論壇”和“中新市長(zhǎng)論壇啟動(dòng)儀式”，并就中澳、中新地方政府交流發(fā)表重要講話(huà)。3天內(nèi)建立了兩個(gè)地方政府交流機(jī)制、舉辦了兩場(chǎng)習(xí)主席出席的活動(dòng)，這樣創(chuàng)紀(jì)錄的工作成績(jī)至今回想起來(lái)，仍讓全國(guó)友協(xié)美大地區(qū)工作部的同志們興奮不已。

加拿大與美國(guó)在面積、經(jīng)濟(jì)、資源稟賦方面都有一定的相似之處，但是自1980年加拿大與我國(guó)建立第一對(duì)友好城市以來(lái)，每10年的結(jié)好數(shù)量都在13對(duì)左右，數(shù)量增長(zhǎng)緩慢，中加友城仍有很大潛力。近年來(lái)，加拿大各省省長(zhǎng)訪(fǎng)華熱情高漲，加現(xiàn)政府對(duì)發(fā)展對(duì)華關(guān)系態(tài)度也更為積極，我們將抓住機(jī)遇，多做工作，促進(jìn)更多中加城市結(jié)好。

澳大利亞與我國(guó)的結(jié)好數(shù)量一直處于快速增長(zhǎng)通道。20世紀(jì)70年代僅結(jié)好兩對(duì)，自2010年至今，結(jié)好數(shù)量達(dá)到24對(duì)。如保持這個(gè)勢(shì)頭，到2020年有望達(dá)到40對(duì)。該數(shù)據(jù)恰當(dāng)?shù)胤从沉烁母镩_(kāi)放以來(lái)中澳關(guān)系取得了長(zhǎng)足發(fā)展。今后，我們應(yīng)以良好的中澳關(guān)系為依托，在追求友城數(shù)量的同時(shí)，注重交往質(zhì)量。

新西蘭情況有所不同。在經(jīng)歷了20世紀(jì)80年代到2010年的快速增長(zhǎng)后，中新友好城市增長(zhǎng)進(jìn)入了相對(duì)穩(wěn)定時(shí)期。從新西蘭姐妹城協(xié)會(huì)年會(huì)上反饋的情況來(lái)看，多數(shù)新西蘭城市已不滿(mǎn)足與我國(guó)友城一般性互訪(fǎng)，也開(kāi)始采取措施，以能否吸引中方的投資或項(xiàng)目作為衡量其友城成效的重要指標(biāo)。

南太平洋島國(guó)均為發(fā)展中國(guó)家，國(guó)家小，經(jīng)濟(jì)落后。我國(guó)現(xiàn)與8個(gè)已建交島國(guó)中的6個(gè)建立了16對(duì)友城關(guān)系。南太平洋島國(guó)雖然不發(fā)達(dá)，但是資源豐富，潛力很大，我們將加大投入，與其共建“利益共同體”“命運(yùn)共同體”。

2013 年10 月，在河北省與美國(guó)艾奧瓦州結(jié)好30 周年紀(jì)念活動(dòng)上，中美少年演唱由全國(guó)友協(xié)集體作詞的、反映中美兩國(guó)人民的友好情誼的歌曲《情緣留住永恒的記憶》。

今年5月14日—18日，第二屆廣州—奧克蘭—洛杉磯“三城經(jīng)濟(jì)聯(lián)盟”峰會(huì)在新西蘭舉行，3個(gè)大都市的市長(zhǎng)就共同感興趣的話(huà)題進(jìn)行深入探討。全國(guó)友協(xié)會(huì)長(zhǎng)李小林率代表團(tuán)應(yīng)邀現(xiàn)場(chǎng)觀摩和指導(dǎo)。3個(gè)“好朋友”的力量集聚起來(lái)，碰撞出了新的火花。這種跨國(guó)友城合作模式無(wú)疑對(duì)務(wù)實(shí)合作起到促進(jìn)作用，可資借鑒。

“很熱情，但很遙遠(yuǎn)”

常聽(tīng)到負(fù)責(zé)拉美地區(qū)工作的同志們講：“你們?nèi)ッ绹?guó)訪(fǎng)問(wèn)，到了美國(guó)，就算到達(dá)目的地了，我們到了美國(guó)，行程才走了一半?！弊璧K中國(guó)與拉美地區(qū)開(kāi)展友城工作的不僅僅是相距遙遠(yuǎn)，雙方不了解，互補(bǔ)效應(yīng)不甚明顯就成了阻礙中拉友城工作的另外一個(gè)原因。

2011 年11 月，中美文化藝術(shù)論壇在北京舉行。中美兩國(guó)著名電影演員葛優(yōu)、劉燁和梅麗爾·斯特里普出席論壇。 （CFP）

截至目前，中國(guó)與拉美地區(qū)共建立了160多對(duì)友好城市（省州）關(guān)系。從數(shù)量上看，我國(guó)與拉美城市發(fā)展友城的空間仍然很大，雙方要加強(qiáng)信息互通，促成更多友好城市的建立。讓雙方城市在發(fā)展過(guò)程中積累的經(jīng)驗(yàn)惠及各自人民，讓雙方多彩的歷史文化豐富人民的生活，共享發(fā)展成果。

從區(qū)域上看，中方城市主要集中在經(jīng)濟(jì)較發(fā)達(dá)省份和地區(qū)，拉美的結(jié)好對(duì)象則主要集中在巴西、阿根廷、智利、墨西哥等地區(qū)大國(guó)的首都或主要經(jīng)濟(jì)、旅游城市，友城發(fā)展很不均衡。中國(guó)的三四線(xiàn)城市對(duì)外交往的渠道較少，走出去的動(dòng)力和能力不足。同時(shí)，拉美中小城市體量小，產(chǎn)業(yè)和地方特色優(yōu)勢(shì)不明顯，雙方應(yīng)該增強(qiáng)互補(bǔ)性和合作契合點(diǎn)，尋找合適的友好城市。

從結(jié)好后的合作效果看，由于距離遙遠(yuǎn)，雙方城市（省州）綜合實(shí)力、人口、資源、文化等差異較大，應(yīng)該建立有效的定期溝通機(jī)制，促進(jìn)實(shí)質(zhì)性項(xiàng)目合作的開(kāi)展。

近年來(lái)，全國(guó)友協(xié)在促進(jìn)與拉美地方政府交往方面做了大量工作，與拉美省州政府組織、拉美城市和地方政府聯(lián)合會(huì)、墨西哥全國(guó)州長(zhǎng)大會(huì)、智利城市協(xié)會(huì)等建立了長(zhǎng)期的合作關(guān)系。通過(guò)這些組織，雙方建立了地方政府間溝通渠道，并開(kāi)始搭建合作交流平臺(tái)。例如，2014年，我們舉辦了首屆中國(guó)智利友好城市論壇，今年，還將于11月9日在重慶舉辦首屆中拉地方政府合作論壇。

大洋那邊，更需努力，更加精彩

為使美大地區(qū)友城工作更好地服務(wù)“走出去”戰(zhàn)略，增進(jìn)與美大地區(qū)人民的友誼，加強(qiáng)合作，我們需要分類(lèi)指導(dǎo)，一國(guó)一策。

精耕細(xì)作，創(chuàng)新引領(lǐng)。中美兩國(guó)作為世界上第二和第一大經(jīng)濟(jì)體，各有優(yōu)勢(shì)，互補(bǔ)性強(qiáng)，合作潛力巨大。美國(guó)在基礎(chǔ)研究、科技創(chuàng)新、文化創(chuàng)意、航天醫(yī)藥等領(lǐng)域都處于世界領(lǐng)先水平，值得我們學(xué)習(xí)借鑒。未來(lái)對(duì)美友城工作在夯實(shí)基礎(chǔ)、消除空白點(diǎn)的同時(shí)，一定要注重內(nèi)容和形式的創(chuàng)新，用創(chuàng)新來(lái)引領(lǐng)對(duì)美合作，充分挖掘潛力，兩國(guó)構(gòu)建新型大國(guó)關(guān)系增添正能量。

穩(wěn)中求進(jìn)，歷久彌新。發(fā)揮好中新（新西蘭）市長(zhǎng)論壇、中澳省州負(fù)責(zé)人論壇基礎(chǔ)上，加大與加拿大聯(lián)邦理事會(huì)合作力度，促成與加拿大地方政府合作平臺(tái)早日建立。借助“海上絲綢之路”南向的東風(fēng)，緊貼國(guó)家和地方省市發(fā)展戰(zhàn)略，充分發(fā)揮澳大利亞姐妹城協(xié)會(huì)和新西蘭姐妹城協(xié)會(huì)的作用，配合地方省市不斷打造友城合作新亮點(diǎn)。

開(kāi)拓進(jìn)取，春華秋實(shí)。隨著互聯(lián)網(wǎng)技術(shù)的運(yùn)用及我國(guó)航空業(yè)的發(fā)展，在不久的將來(lái)，距離將不再是阻礙中拉交流的障礙，在中國(guó)經(jīng)濟(jì)逐漸融入世界的過(guò)程中，與廣大的拉美國(guó)家的交流合作會(huì)越來(lái)越熱。只要我們放眼長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)，腳踏實(shí)地，就一定能打開(kāi)拉美友城工作的新局面，把合作的潛力轉(zhuǎn)變?yōu)榛ダ糙A的實(shí)實(shí)在在的成果。

（全國(guó)友協(xié)美大工作部供稿、供圖）

America and Oceania (hereinafter referred to as “Meida” region) covers the whole Western Hemisphere and the South Pacific region including North America and South America. There are 51 countries comprising the only superpower America, the least developed countries Haiti, Vanuatu, Tuvalu.Showing similarities in the huge differences of geographic factors and characteristics of other countries, the sister city work in “Meida” region not only have the bright side of vigorous development, but diffi cult side of challenges and opportunities interdependent.

“To us, you represent America”

Vice President Xi Jinping paid a visit to the city of Muscatine, Iowa in 2012. He talked with his old friends of America who entertained him 27 years ago when he visited America. He said with emotion: “coming back to Muscatine after 27 years’ leave, the impression of that year occurs to my mind again. I feel very cordial here to see you again. This place has left such a profound impression that none of you can feel.You are the fi rst group of Americans I saw, so the first impression of America came from you. To me, you represent America.”

Xi Jinping, who was working in Zhengding County, Hebei Province in 1985, led a delegation to Iowa. In 1992, old friends of Iowa visited China at the invitation of President Xi.Later, Brans Tad ,the governor of Iowa, and also a governor who has the longest term of office in American history, had vowed to turn Iowa into the most friendly state to China, all of which originated in 1983 when Hebei Province and Iowa became friendly provinces.

The regional exchanges of China and America including exchanges of sister cities have always been one of the important driving force for steady progress in Sino-US relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries in 1979, after Hubei Province and Ohio, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province and Saint Louis City, Missouri State had become the fi rst pair of friendship provinces and sister cities. China and the United States has concluded 46 pairs of friendship provinces and 212 sister cities. In 37 years, with the continuous development of China's further reform and opening up and the Sino-US relations, the two sides have been drawing on the strong points of each other to make up for weak points in such areas as the economic and trade cooperation, cultural and technical exchanges and personnel training, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples.

In recent years, China and America have jointly implemented many important regional exchange mechanism. The exchange of sister cities of the two sides has gradually become institutionalized and standardized. For example,since the Sino-US Governors Forum organized by The Chinese People’s Association For Friendship with Foreign Countries, three forums and two dialogues have been successfully held. President Xi Jinping attended this forum and delivered important speech at the third forum when he visited America. According to incomplete statistics, there were 33 governors of the United States, 26 Chinese leaders of provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) attending the forum. They exchanged ideas on economic development, environmental protection issues such as exchanges and achieved a series of cooperation results, which was a strong impetus to the pragmatic cooperation of two sides. Sino-US Sister City Meeting has been held in 2014 and 2015 in the United States held in succession. The third China-US Sister City Meeting will be held in November 18 to November 19 this year in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. This mechanism has become an important platform for two sides to share the experience of sister city exchange and explore opportunities for cooperation

Besides, by receiving a great number of important officials of local governments paying a visit to China, including American governors, deputy governors, mayors, State Council leader, Senators, the Chinese People’s Association For Friendship withForeign Countries helps the exchanges of China-US sister cities and promotes the friendship provinces, states and cities of two sides to strengthen pragmatic cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, science and technology, education.

2014 China-America Friendship Cities Conference was held in Washington D.C. Image from: Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)

Exchange Mechanism for Two Local Governments were Set Up in Australia and New Zealand in Three Days

In November 19 and 21, 2014, when President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Australia and New Zealand, he attended the fi rst Australia-China State/Provincial Leaders Forum and Launching Ceremony of New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum and an important speach on the exchanges of Australia- China and New Zealand-China local governments.In three days, two exchange mechanisms for two local governments had been set up and two activities in which President Xi attended had been held. Such work performance hitting the record still made the stuff in the working department of the Chinese People’s Association For Friendship with Foreign Countries excited when they recalled.

Canada and the United States have similarities in terms of size, economy and resource endowment, but since 1980 when the fi rst pair of sister cities in Canada and China, there are 13 pairs in every 10 years has been growing at a rate of about 13 per 10 years. Although the number grows slowly, the development of the sister cities of Canada and China still has great potential. In recent years, all governors of Canada has been enthusiastic about visiting to China.The present Government is also more active in developing relations with China. We will seize the opportunity to do more work and promote more sister cities in China and Canada.

The number of friendship cities of Australia and China has been growing fast. In the 1970s, there were only two pairs. From 2010 to now, the number has reached 24 pairs. If this momentum can be maintained, the number is expected to reach 40 pairs in 2020. The data properly reflects that since the reform and opening up, Sino-Australia relations have made considerable progress. In the future, when we pursue the number of sister cities, we should focus on the quality of exchanges based on the good relationship of Australia and China.

The situation in New Zealand is different. After experiencing rapid growth from the 1980s to 2010, the growth of Sino-Singapo sister cities have entered a relatively stable period. Seen from the feedback of the Annual Meeting of the New Zealand Sister Cities Association, most New Zealand cities are not satisfi ed with the general visits with our sister cities and have begun to take actions. They take attracting Chinese investment or projects as a measure of effectiveness of their sister cities.

South Pacific island countries are developing countries. The country is small and the economy is backward. China has established 16 pairs sister cities with 8 island countries that had build diplomatic relations with China. Although the South Pacifi c island is not developed, but rich in resources. The potential is very great. We will increase investment and build a community of interests and community of destiny.

In May 14 to 18, the second Oakland - Los Angeles -Guangzhou, Tripartite Economic Alliance Summit was held in New Zealand, the mayors of three metropolitan cities conducted in-depth discussion on the topic of common interest. National Friendship Association President Li Xiaolin and his delegation was invited to the spot to observe and guide.The strength of three good friends collided and sparkled. The mode of transnational sister-cities cooperation will undoubtedly promote pragmatic cooperation. This mode can be used for reference.

Very Enthusiastic but Remote

I often hear comrades who are responsible for the work in Latin America Comrades say: “ when you visited the United States and reached the United States,you already reached thedestination; when we went to the United States, we had just fi nished half of the journey.” What prevents China and the Latin American region from carrying out the work of sister cities is not remote distance, but the lack of understanding of two sides. The complementary effect is not obvious, which has become another reason to hinder the work of sister cities.

Up to now, China and Latin America have established more than 160 pairs of sister cities (provinces and states). In terms of quantity, the development space of sister cities between China and Latin American is still very broad.The two sides should strengthen the exchange of information, promote the establishment of more sister cities, make the cities of both sides benefi t their own people by using the experience accumulated in the process of development, make the rich history and culture enrich the lives of the people of both sides and share the fruits of development.

From the regional perspective, the cities of China are mainly in some economically developed provinces and regions. But the targets of friendship for in Latin America is mainly in some capital cities,major tourist and economic cities, such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico. The development of sister cities is out of balance. There are few foreign exchange channel for China’s third-tier cities and fourth-tier cities.They lack the power and ability to go out. At the same time, small and medium-sized cities in Latin America are not strong enough. The advantages of industry and local characteristics are not obvious, so the two sides should enhance complementarity and conjunction point of cooperation fi t point and look for the suitable sister cities.

From the effect after a good cooperation, because of remote distance, the cities of both sides (provinces and states) greatly differ in comprehensive strength, population, resources, and culture. The two sides should establish a regular effective communication mechanism to promote the implementation of the cooperation in pragmatic projects.

In recent years, the National Friendship Association has done a lot of work in promoting exchanges with local governments of Latin America. It has establish a long-term cooperative relationship with Latin American state government,cities of Latin America, Regional Governments Association, Mexico National Governors Conference and Chile City Association. Through these organizations, the two sides established a communication channel among local governments, and began to build a platform for cooperation and exchanges. For example, in 2014, we held the first Forum on China- Chile Sister City. This year, the first Forum on China-Latin America Local Government Cooperation will be held in November 9th in Chongqing.

Over the Ocean, More Efforts are Needed to become More Wonderful

In order to make the work of sister city in “Meida” region better serve the strategy of going out, enhance the friendship and cooperation with the people of “Meida” region, we need to guide one area with one policy.

Intensive cultivation and innovation leading. As the first and second largest economy in the world, China and the United States each has its advantages, strong complementarity and great potential in cooperation. The United States is in the world’s leading level in terms of basic research, scientific and technological innovation, cultural creativity, aerospace, medicine and other fi elds, which is worth learning from. The future work of “Meida” sister city should not only focus on solid foundation and elimination of blank spots, but pay more attention to the content and form of innovation. We should lead the cooperation with Latin America by innovation, fully tap the potential and add positive energy to build new model of major-country relationship between the two countries.

Make progress while ensuring stability and everlasting new. We should bring New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum and Australia-China Provincial/State Leaders Forum into full play, strengthen the cooperation with Canadian Federation Council and promote the early establishment of local government cooperation platform with Canada. We should take advantage of Maritime Silk Road to get close to the development strategy of nations, provinces and cities,bring Australia Sister City Association and New Zealand Sister City Association into full play and coordinate with provinces and cities to continuously create bright spots of sister city cooperation.

Forge ahead, Spring Seeding for Autumn Harvest. With the employment of Internet technology and the development of China's aviation industry, in the near future, the distance will no longer be the obstacle for China and Latin America to communicate. In the course of Chinese economy gradually integrating into the world, the exchanges and cooperation with Latin American countries will become increasingly hot. As long as we expand our horizon and are down to earth, we will be able to open a new situation in the work of sister city and turn the potential of cooperation into mutual benefi t and win-win results.

（Provided by Working Department of The Chinese People’s Association For Friendship with Foreign Countries）

Cross the Ocean to Build Friendship Mutual Benefi t Promotes Win-win Situation