A delegation of U.S. mayors, county executives, and council members from across the country has arrived in Hangzhou, a tech powerhouse in east China's Zhejiang, to explore avenues for progress while looking beyond geopolitical barriers.
While leaders are heading to the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s Gyeongju for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, local engagement between China and the U.S. is already underway in Hangzhou.
"We have that in common with this region because they're also doing a lot of research in AI technology," said Oscar Gutierrez, acting Mayor of Santa Barbara, U.S. State of California.
This shared focus on innovation is driving U.S. delegates to tour Hangzhou’s robotics firms, clean energy centers, and talent incubators, key pillars of the city’s push to become a global sci-tech powerhouse.
"I want China to understand that even mayors of small towns of 10,000 people are interested in this place, and they do see some kind of benefit to a cooperative relationship," said Kristen Looney, associate professor of Asian Studies and Government at Georgetown University.
The delegation is not just "visiting" but also pairing up with Chinese firms and people.
"In America, we have a television show called Survivor where people are stranded on an island and they have to work together to build a society. People are always looking for a crack. You know, what's the crack that you can start to pull open and find opportunity? And so I think in this regard, it's what's that small glimmer of possibility and how do we thoughtfully and respectfully open that opportunity together," said Jenny Kellogg Hill, a council Leader in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Amid volatilities, local leaders talked about "barriers" but focused more on "connections".
"There will always be challenges. And so the thing for us is that we always look for a spirit of collaboration. I think time and cooler heads will prevail to be able to open up once again these channels for more collaboration, for information sharing," said Jelani Killings, Mayor of Pittsburg, California.
Just as American local leaders are discovering not only Hangzhou's speed but also its spirit, what lies between China and the U.S. goes beyond policies and figures.
"I want people to be less intimidated by differences in the political system and see past that and try to really understand like what China's history, society, economy, culture, people are like. I think that's really important," said Kristen Looney.
US delegation engages Hangzhou amid APEC talks, seeking grassroots cooperation
