A high-profile delegation from Oregon, led by State Senate President Rob Wagner, recently concluded a 15-day visit to China, marking a significant step in fostering subnational diplomacy between the two nations. The delegation, which included state senators, bipartisan representatives, and business leaders, visited 10 Chinese cities, including Shenzhen, Fuzhou, and Chengdu, culminating in their participation in the seventh China-US Sister Cities Conference in Hangzhou. This visit, the largest from Oregon since the pandemic, aimed to deepen mutual understanding and explore new avenues for cooperation. Deb Patterson, a member of the Oregon State Senate, described the trip as both intense and impressive, highlighting the diverse climates, cuisines, and cultures experienced across China. The delegation also focused on strengthening Oregon’s sister-province relationship with Fujian, which celebrated its 41st anniversary this year. Wagner emphasized the importance of subnational diplomacy in addressing global challenges, such as climate change and economic uncertainty, and underscored the need for dialogue and cooperation at all levels. The conference brought together over 300 representatives from both countries, including participants from 28 US states, making it the largest local exchange event in recent years. Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng urged both nations to leverage local partnerships to improve the broader bilateral relationship, calling for deeper mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, highlighted the resilience and vibrancy of sister-city cooperation, noting that such partnerships have created over 400,000 jobs in the US heartland and provided over 70,000 employment opportunities through Chinese enterprises. Victoria Woodards, mayor of Tacoma, Washington, emphasized that sister-city partnerships are built on people, not politics, and expressed hope for continued collaboration and mutual learning.